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Han Byung-do, chairman of the Democratic Party of Korea's special committee to support three major mega-projects, and vice chairman Kim Kyoung-soo, alongside other attendees, pose for a photo at a party-government consultation on the three mega-projects held at the National Assembly Members' Office Building on July 22 / Photo by Asia Today (Reporter Lee Byung-hwa)

The Democratic Party of Korea held the second meeting of its special committee to support three major mega-projects on July 22 to explore measures for party-government cooperation. Han Byung-do, acting party leader and floor leader, emphasized, "The fate of the three mega-projects hinges entirely on speed."

Floor Leader Han said, "To produce tangible results that the public can actually feel, speedy implementation and seamless execution are more urgent than anything," adding, "Not only the National Assembly and the central government, but also local governments and the private sector must unite as one and press ahead in a speed battle." He introduced, "Backing the government's firm determination with powerful momentum is the core role of our special committee."

He also promised to "process without exception" budget allocations for infrastructure building and related legislation, including special acts on mega-special zones. Han noted, "At today's meeting, we will closely review detailed implementation plans by ministry and seek party-government cooperation measures to dramatically boost the execution power of the projects."

Vice Chairman Kim Kyoung-soo emphasized local-led growth. He said, "Especially in the AI era, we are entering a time where South Korea's growth is impossible without local-led growth," adding, "The three mega-projects serve as the primer and key to ensuring the success of local-led growth." Kim explained, "While companies flocked to the Seoul metropolitan area during the Participatory Government era, we have now reached an era where power and water—key AI infrastructure components—are more competitive in local regions."

Secretary Jang Chul-min called for bipartisan cooperation. He said, "The three mega-projects should not be projects exclusive to the Democratic Party and the Lee Jae-myung administration, but should become bipartisan projects for all of South Korea," urging the People Power Party to "join in productive and future-oriented discussions." Officials from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, the Ministry of Science and ICT, the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment, and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy attended the meeting.

                                                                                                             Shim Jun-bo