Will the 'Gyeonggi Provincial Council Northern Branch' Ordinance Rekindle the 'Division Theory'?

'Original Approval of Ordinance for Establishment of Gyeonggi Provincial Council Northern Branch'
District National Assembly Member Introduces 'Act on Establishment of Gyeonggi Bukdo' as Main Sponsor

Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly held the 6th plenary session of the 348th regular meeting on the 18th. [Provided by Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly]

[Asia Economy Reporter La Youngcheol] Gyeonggi Province, as a massive local government with a population of 13.8 million, is experiencing saturation in both population and functions. Being divided into the main office and the northern branch office causes inconvenience in administrative services for residents.

Therefore, the necessity of dividing the province has been steadily raised as part of implementing national tasks such as local autonomy, decentralization, and balanced development.

Amid this, on the 18th, the 'Ordinance on the Establishment and Operation of the Northern Branch Office of the Gyeonggi Provincial Council and the Formation of the Promotion Committee' was approved as originally proposed at the 6th plenary session of the regular meeting of the Gyeonggi Provincial Council.

Jang Hyunguk, chairman of the provincial council, stated at the plenary session, "The establishment of the northern branch office aims to promote balanced development between the southern and northern parts of Gyeonggi and improve the efficiency of council members' work," adding, "We will do our best to ensure the northern branch office is properly organized through a systematic and thorough preparation process to expand the rights of residents in the northern region."

Additionally, based on the ordinance, the provincial council will discuss the validity and basic direction of establishing the northern branch office, as well as determine matters such as the branch office's name, scale, and securing necessary funding.

Since the formation of the promotion committee for the new northern branch office in September, research projects have begun and related ordinances have been enacted, making the establishment of the provincial council's northern branch office more tangible.

However, a somewhat different atmosphere is also being sensed this time. Since the 21st National Assembly, Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Mincheol (Uijeongbu Eul) and People Power Party lawmaker Kim Sungwon (Dongducheon-Yeoncheon) have taken the lead in legislative activities to establish Gyeonggi Bukdo (Northern Gyeonggi Province). Both lawmakers have each introduced a 'Bill on the Establishment of Gyeonggi Bukdo.'

Lawmaker Kim Mincheol argued, "The establishment of Gyeonggi Bukdo is urgently needed to strengthen autonomy and provide efficient administrative services to residents," adding, "Only by creating Gyeonggi Bukdo can true national balanced development be pursued and the quality of life of residents in northern Gyeonggi be improved."

Kim's remarks align with Chairman Jang Hyunguk's statements supporting the legitimacy of establishing the provincial council's northern branch office. Therefore, as the ordinance for the northern branch office and related legislative activities on dividing the province coincide, there is a greater possibility than ever that the establishment of the provincial council's northern branch office will reignite the debate on dividing Gyeonggi Province.

Moreover, with as many as 14 lawmakers from the southern Gyeonggi region participating in the 'Bill on the Establishment of Gyeonggi Bukdo,' the division debate appears to be spreading even to the southern Gyeonggi area.

Experts have also continuously expressed that managing northern and southern Gyeonggi separately, given their vastly different economic and residential living zones, would increase efficiency, lending weight to analyses that the establishment of the provincial council's northern branch office will significantly influence the division debate.

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