Jeonnam-Gwangju Mayor questioned over 20 trillion won fund use

During the first administrative inquiry following the launch of the Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City, Council Member Kim Moon-soo questioned Mayor Min Hyung-bae regarding the allocation of a 20 trillion won integrated financial support fund.

Mayor Min stated that the fund would not be used exclusively for semiconductors. He previously proposed an 8:1:1 distribution ratio—focusing 80% on advanced industries, 10% on citizen safety, and 10% on talent cultivation—though he noted that recent government mandates to invest specific amounts into semiconductor industrial complexes may require a reassessment of this plan.

Disputes also arose regarding the location of semiconductor materials, components, and equipment (소부장) facilities. Council Member Kim expressed concerns that placing these facilities in the eastern region, such as Yeosu, would create logistical inefficiencies due to the distance from Gwangju, potentially hindering competitiveness compared to clusters like Yongin.

The session was marked by political tension between the Mayor and Democratic Party council members, involving disagreements over organizational restructuring and the relationship between the administration and the Progressive Party.