'Yeongnam Group Leaders' Gather to Shape the Nation's Future Together'

Busan, Daegu, Ulsan, Gyeongbuk, Gyeongnam Hold the 1st Yeongnam Region Future Development Council
Discuss Cooperation to Build a Second Economic Axis Overcoming the Seoul Metropolitan Area's Unipolar System
Yeongnam Future Development Plans, Nakdong

On the 27th, at the Lotte Hotel Busan, the five provincial governors of Yeongnam are taking a commemorative photo before the panel discussion at the '2020 Yeongnam Future Forum.' From the left: Byun Sung-wan, Acting Mayor of Busan; Kwon Young-jin, Mayor of Daegu; Song Cheol-ho, Mayor of Ulsan; Lee Cheol-woo, Governor of Gyeongbuk; Kim Kyung-soo, Governor of Gyeongnam.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yong-woo] Busan, Ulsan, Gyeongnam, Daegu, and Gyeongbuk?collectively known as ‘Yeongnam’?are coming together to envision the future.

The heads of the five metropolitan governments in the Yeongnam region will gather at 11 a.m. on the 5th at the Gyeongnam Provincial Office to hold the ‘1st Yeongnam Future Development Council,’ seeking joint development of the Yeongnam area.

The purpose of the ‘Yeongnam gathering’ is to overcome the unipolar system centered on the Seoul metropolitan area, transition to a multipolar system, and have Yeongnam lead national development. It is a commitment to cooperate in developing Yeongnam into a ‘Grand Megacity’ to rival the Seoul metropolitan area.

This council follows the decision to establish the Yeongnam Future Development Council at the ‘2020 Yeongnam Future Forum’ held in Busan on July 27, and after a working-level meeting on July 31, it is being held on this day.

Since 2007, the five metropolitan governments have formed the ‘Yeongnam Metropolitan City and Province Governors’ Council’ and have held nine meetings, including written ones, discussing the establishment of a Yeongnam regional development plan, economic community, and cooperation on a new airport in the Yeongnam area. They have also submitted joint proposals several times to elevate regional core tasks to national agenda items.

Through this council, the five cities and provinces will transform the existing ‘Yeongnam Metropolitan City and Province Governors’ Council’ into a future-oriented ‘Yeongnam Future Development Council,’ expanding continuous consultation and exchange on joint issues to establish a win-win cooperation system. They will also promote joint research on regional development strategies and discover cooperative projects linking and collaborating among key growth industries in the region.

To secure clean water from the Nakdong River, the main water source of Yeongnam, they promise joint cooperation to improve the main stream’s water quality and prepare support measures to minimize damage to water intake areas. They will also strive to have the government’s integrated water management plan for the Nakdong River reflected in the Korean New Deal plan.

They will jointly work to secure national funding for the construction of a nationally operated metropolitan railway network to facilitate smooth exchange and communication within Yeongnam, and prepare the ‘Yeongnam Metropolitan Railway Network Construction Plan’ to cooperate in promoting the Southeast Mega City Express Train (MTX).

For infrastructure development to help Yeongnam grow into a future city, they plan to propose to the government that regional balanced development strategies be prioritized in the Korean New Deal investment projects and that the relocation of national and public institutions to local areas be expedited.

They will sign an agreement covering five areas, including joint responses to ensure the prompt passage of the full revision of the Local Autonomy Act and other local decentralization-related laws.

Byun Sung-wan, Acting Mayor of Busan, said, “The most important task among the projects we will cooperate on is joint response to balanced development and local decentralization,” adding, “The Korean New Deal must align with the hopes and direction of the region.”

He also said, “I hope that through the will and cooperation of the Yeongnam people, including solving the Nakdong River water issues, a new path to shared prosperity in Yeongnam will open, allowing it to leap forward as the nation’s second economic axis.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.