Democratic Party lawmaker Song Young-gil rebuked Jeonbuk Governor Lee Won-taek, who had expressed disappointment over the government's "three mega projects," calling the governor's stance "not appropriate." Song, a contender for the party leadership, criticized Lee for raising a "Jeonbuk neglect" argument while also taking aim at former party leader Jung Chung-rae, who had echoed the governor's remarks.
Song made the comments after attending a roundtable titled "One Year of the Lee Jae-myung Government: Assessment and Tasks in Peace, Diplomacy and Security" held at the National Assembly members' office building on Tuesday. Speaking to reporters, he said, "The Jeonbuk governor should not take a passive stance but should actively study what role and incentives Jeonbuk can create within the overall southwestern regional development plan."
Earlier, Governor-elect Lee expressed his frustration with the government on May 30, the day after the government announced the mega projects, saying, "The three mega projects for South Korea's great leap forward announced by the government have brought a sense of loss and disappointment to the residents." He added, "From Jeonbuk's standpoint, which faces triple neglect, there is great concern, worry and disappointment."
Song said, "He's not the Daegu mayor. A local government head belonging to the ruling party should instead welcome it and think about doing well himself. Debating over this kind of thing is a passive attitude." He added, "Busan Mayor Jeon Jae-soo said, 'If you feel envious, you've lost.'"
He also said, "I think it's not appropriate to be talking about a 'Jeonbuk neglect' as if it were real, and former leader Jung Chung-rae made remarks somewhat in agreement (with the governor's comments), but the attitude of the ruling party should be to welcome this."
Regarding the mega projects, Song welcomed them, saying, "The emotion of the Honam public was beyond words." He added, "Although some (neglect claims) are relatively coming out in Jeonbuk, I don't think so. SK hynix is also considering the entire southwestern regional project, so there is plenty of variability." He continued, "What matters is whether we prepare well and create the conditions (in case the plan changes)."
Asked about the timing of his official candidacy announcement, Song said, "When the time comes, I will present my vision (along with a candidacy declaration) while announcing measures to resolve youth housing issues."
Regarding the prosecution reform plan centered on abolishing the prosecution's supplementary investigation rights, he pointed to hardliners within the party, saying, "This is a matter to be resolved through discussion with the government," and, "It is not desirable to turn this issue into a contentious point at the party convention as if fighting against the government."
On the argument that a "one member, one vote" system at the party convention should have strategic regional and generational weighting, he said, "This is a matter that deserves thorough review." He added, "Rather than one member, one vote used only during party leader elections, I want to build an artificial intelligence (AI)-based party where members' opinions are gathered in all policy decision-making processes."
