Gangwon State, Democratic Party of Korea Hold Budget Policy Consultation Meeting; Request for 1.6 Trillion Won in National Funding to Be Reflected in National Assembly Budget Review

【Financial News Chuncheon = Kim Ki-seop】Gangwon State has asked the Democratic Party of Korea to help secure 1.6 trillion won in national-funded projects during the National Assembly’s budget review.
According to Gangwon State on the 14th, the 2026 Democratic Party of Korea–Gangwon State budget policy consultation meeting was held that day at the provincial government office. Governor Woo Sang-ho requested party-level support for securing national funding and resolving regional issues.
The meeting was attended by party leaders, including party leader Kim Min-seok, floor leader Han Byung-do, and Lee Kwang-jae, chair of the National Assembly Special Committee on Budget and Accounts. Provincial party chair Heo Young and National Assembly member Song Ki-heon also attended on behalf of the provincial party. Gangwon State was represented by Governor Woo Sang-ho and Deputy Governor for Economic Affairs Shin Won-cheol, while Chuncheon Mayor Yuk Dong-han and Gangneung Mayor Jung Nam Kim attended on behalf of the cities and counties. They discussed major nationally funded projects and ways to cooperate on regional issues.
Gangwon State asked the National Assembly to include approximately 1.6 trillion won in national-funded projects in its budget review. The projects include the service costs needed if the Pocheon–Cheorwon Expressway passes its preliminary feasibility study, funding for an AI transformation project, equipment construction costs for an antibody drug process development and verification test bed, and design costs for an integrated transportation system. The province also requested support for resolving regional issues, including the relocation of public institutions, expansion of highway and railway networks, designation as a defense industry innovation cluster, and exemption from a preliminary feasibility study for an AI transformation project in medical care and wellness.

In his opening remarks, Governor Woo Sang-ho reiterated his request, saying, "To prevent the unusual situation in which the Future Response Fund works against Gangwon State, which has a low level of fiscal self-reliance, it is necessary to compensate for the reduction in local allocation taxes, expand nationally funded projects that can be used for other purposes, and adjust the ratio between national and local taxes." During the closed-door comprehensive discussion, participants also proposed financial support for public hospitals to guarantee essential regional medical care and a review of Kangwon Land’s anti-money-laundering system in areas undergoing the transition away from the coal industry.
Lee Kwang-jae, chair of the Budget and Accounts Committee, said, "Gangwon State is shouldering a significant financial burden from operating Olympic facilities in Gangneung, Pyeongchang, and Jeongseon." He added, "I will introduce an amendment to the National Sports Promotion Act to have the Korea Sports Promotion Foundation operate the Olympic facilities directly, opening a new path for tourism and sports in Gangwon."
Party leader Kim Min-seok responded, "The party is also paying attention to Gangwon State and working hard to provide support." He added, "We will carefully attend to the Future Response Fund issue raised today and the projects proposed for inclusion in the national budget."
[email protected] Kim Ki-seop Reporter