Committees check delay in agricultural technology institute relocation by Gyeongnam Development Corp.

Sejong office remodeling budget process also under scrutiny

The South Gyeongsang Provincial Assembly building [South Gyeongsang Provincial Assembly]
The South Gyeongsang Provincial Assembly building [South Gyeongsang Provincial Assembly]

The South Gyeongsang Provincial Assembly conducted on-site inspections of major project sites and affiliated institutions across the province ahead of the 13th Assembly's first administrative audit, scheduled to run from Monday through Thursday. Standing committees covering agriculture and fisheries, planning and administration, economy and environment, education, and construction and fire safety visited the sites Wednesday and Thursday to review project progress, budget planning and execution, and staffing conditions.

The Agriculture, Marine and Fisheries Committee visited the planned relocation site of the South Gyeongsang Agricultural Technology Institute and the Animal Health Laboratory. Members raised concerns about delays in the relocation project, carried out by the Gyeongnam Development Corp., citing a rise in unsold units and difficulties in issuing construction bonds. They urged a review of whether the current consignment-based approach remains viable and called for the governor to make a policy decision after examining alternatives such as private capital participation or direct provincial funding.

At the Animal Health Laboratory, members were briefed that 16 of the 78 authorized veterinary civil servant positions were vacant at the time of the inspection. They called for measures to prevent gaps in quarantine operations caused by the vacancies.

The Planning and Administration Committee visited the Seoul-Sejong headquarters to examine how the budget for remodeling the Sejong office was drawn up. Members criticized the allocation of 54 million won ($40,200) before formal approval from the building's managing authority had been confirmed and called for an end to the practice of budgeting based solely on verbal consultations. They also stressed that external cooperation activities must translate into concrete results in securing national government funding. At the Seoul branch of Nammyeong Student Hall, members urged stronger student safety management and an expansion of support programs.

The Economy and Environment Committee visited the Sacheon aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul industrial complex to discuss ways to attract aircraft maintenance work currently going overseas and to explore workforce development support linked to specialized high schools. Members also discussed plans to normalize long-stalled development zones, including the Hadong Galsaman Shipbuilding Industrial Complex and the Daesong Industrial Complex.

The Education Committee inspected the lack of athletic facilities following the merger of Hadong Ssangye Branch School and Hwagye Elementary School and reviewed delays in the Green Smart School project at Hadong High School, calling for consistent implementation. The Construction and Fire Safety Committee visited the disaster recovery site at Sindeungcheon in Hapcheon and the Jinju Complex Cultural Library, checking on construction progress and operational readiness.

Based on the findings from the site visits, the Assembly plans to conduct its administrative audit of relevant departments and affiliated institutions from Monday through Thursday.


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