Mayor Lee Yong-seop and Jeonnam Governor Kim Young-rok "Smiled"... Signed Administrative Integration Agreement

Gwangju Mayor Lee Yong-seop and Jeonnam Governor Kim Young-rok are posing for a commemorative photo after signing an agreement on the administrative integration of Gwangju and Jeonnam at the Kim Dae-jung Convention Center in Seo-gu on the morning of the 2nd. Photo by Gwangju Metropolitan City

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Seon-gang] Lee Yong-seop, Mayor of Gwangju Metropolitan City, and Kim Young-rok, Governor of Jeonnam Province, signed the ‘Agreement for Discussion on Administrative Integration of Gwangju and Jeonnam’ on the 2nd.

According to Gwangju City and Jeonnam Province, Mayor Lee and Governor Kim met at the Kim Dae-jung Convention Center on the day, signed the ‘Agreement on Discussion of Gwangju-Jeonnam Administrative Integration,’ and announced an agreement to promote integration discussions centered on the private sector while actively supporting administration.

Mayor Lee and Governor Kim stated in the agreement, “The Mayor of Gwangju Metropolitan City and the Governor of Jeonnam Province agree on the necessity of discussing administrative integration of Gwangju and Jeonnam to strengthen the political, economic, and cultural capabilities of both regions and promote balanced regional development,” adding, “The integration discussions should be conducted in harmony and communication between the citizens of Gwangju Metropolitan City and the residents of Jeonnam Province, collecting diverse opinions from city and provincial residents while respecting minority opinions.”

The discussion process will be conducted in a way that derives the best solution satisfying everyone for the future development of both cities and provinces, and will be approached with mutual respect and consideration to prevent it from turning into a wasteful debate.

The specific contents of the agreement include, first, that integration discussions will be promoted centered on the private sector, with administration actively supporting this.

The first phase of integration discussions involves the Gwangju-Jeonnam Research Institute conducting a research project on all matters related to the content, methods, and procedures of integration, including the advantages and disadvantages of various plans such as establishing an economic community.

The second phase of integration discussions will proceed by forming a city-province integration public deliberation committee after a one-year research period and a six-month review and preparation period.

Both cities and provinces agreed to cooperate to strengthen the authority of the integrated entity’s leader, securing sufficient authority and financial support to demonstrate genuine leadership in integration and coordination, and to achieve local decentralization system improvements at the federal level.

They shared the recognition that the location of the integrated office building should not become an obstacle to integration discussions, and agreed to strive to maintain the current functions of the city hall and provincial office even after integration.

Finally, integration discussions will be promoted within the scope that does not affect major policy issues of the two regions, such as the establishment of a national medical school within the region.

Mayor Lee Yong-seop of Gwangju said, “If we approach from the perspective of coexistence based on the spirit of integration that we become one again, we will be able to find clues to solve various issues,” adding, “I am confident that the integration of Gwangju and Jeonnam is a path for not only Gwangju but also Jeonnam residents to be happy and live well.”

He emphasized, “With the sense of historical mission that the future of Gwangju and Jeonnam depends on our hands, we will do our utmost for the coexistence and mutual growth of Gwangju and Jeonnam.”

Kim Young-rok, Governor of Jeonnam Province, said, “We will do our best to find alternatives that satisfy both cities and provinces. For that, I believe that benefits must be provided from the central government to the cities and provinces,” adding, “Local decentralization at the federal level and expansion of finances must be achieved.”

He continued, “First, it is necessary to discover and actively promote ultra-wide area cooperation projects that both cities and provinces can participate in according to the government’s regional balanced New Deal plan,” adding, “I hope that sufficient research will be conducted at the Gwangju-Jeonnam Research Institute and, based on this, productive alternatives for city-province integration will be proposed through advice and review.”

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