Translation result.
Gangwon Province concluded its regional tour on March 28 with the Gangneung district government report, completing visits to three districts: Chuncheon, Wonju and Gangneung.
The province held the \”Gangwon Government Report with Residents — Gangneung\” session at Gangneung Arena that afternoon. According to the provincial government, about 12,000 residents from six East Coast municipalities, including Gangneung, attended.
The session was the final stop after Chuncheon and Wonju. Officials used the event to explain key provincial issues and solicit residents’ feedback. Including the earlier two sessions, the province estimates total attendance at roughly 25,000.
Attendees included People Power Party lawmakers Han Ki-ho, Lee Cheol-gyu, Yoo Sang-beom and Park Jeong-ha; Kim Si-seong, chair of the Gangwon Provincial Council; Shin Gyeong-ho, superintendent of education; Gangneung Mayor Kim Hong-gyu; Sokcho Mayor Lee Byeong-seon; Samcheok Mayor Park Sang-su; Taebaek Mayor Lee Sang-ho; and Pyeongchang County head Shim Jae-guk.
Governor Kim Jin-tae appeared in traditional provincial inspector attire and outlined the administration’s main policy priorities.
On efforts to advance a third amendment to the Gangwon Special Act, he said the bill passed the National Assembly’s Public Administration and Security Committee and is now awaiting review by the Legislation and Judiciary Committee and a plenary vote. He pledged to pursue key special provisions that were not adopted and to include them in a proposed fourth amendment.
He said the province identified 120 projects across seven future-industry sectors and has entered an era of securing 10 trillion KRW (about $7.5 billion) in central government funding. On a per‑resident basis, Gangwon ranks among the top provinces nationwide in terms of national funds secured.
On social overhead capital (SOC), he said all eight projects that faced preliminary feasibility reviews over the past four years were approved. He added that the province is implementing roughly 800 billion KRW (about $600 million) in policies — including half-price agricultural input support and aid for small businesses, the self‑employed and young entrepreneurs — and plans to expand that package to 1 trillion KRW (about $750 million). He also outlined plans to establish a 10 billion KRW fund (about $7.5 million) to respond to developments in the Middle East.
Kim pledged to address local issues in the Gangneung area — including operating a second Gangneung city office, attracting an East Coast data center, advancing the Chuncheon–Sokcho high‑speed rail project, and promoting the Osaek cable car — saying these measures would resolve long‑standing East Coast demands and promote balanced regional development.
Ahead of the session, the Gangwon branch of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions held a rally criticizing the governor’s administration. Kim Nam‑sun, head of the Gangwon KCTU, said the union has repeatedly requested a meeting with the governor since last year without success and urged the governor to engage in dialogue with labor representatives before emphasizing broader communication with residents.
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