Southeastern Regional Special Union Holds Meeting of Gyeongnam Province Department and Headquarters Chiefs

Discussion on Joint Office Development for Establishing the 'Dongnamgwon Metropolitan Special Union'

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Saeyan] Preparations are underway for the launch of the Southeast Region Metropolitan Special Union (Metropolitan Special Union) to realize the vision of the Southeast Mega City.

Gyeongsangnam-do held the first Metropolitan Special Union Gyeongnam Support Group meeting at the provincial government office on the 8th.

This meeting was arranged to follow up on Gyeongsangnam-do’s preparations after starting detailed discussions on establishing a special local government according to the amended Local Autonomy Act ('21.1.12) by Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongnam on the 3rd.

At the meeting, the Deputy Governor of Gyeongsangnam-do and heads of departments and bureaus attended to share plans for the composition and promotion of the Metropolitan Special Union and to discuss the affairs to be handled by the union.

In the industrial and economic sectors, proposals included building hydrogen industry infrastructure, establishing an R&D innovation system, creating a startup support fund, and jointly conducting entrepreneurship and management education for small business owners.

Additionally, to build a Northeast Asia logistics platform linking ports, airports, and railroads in the Southeast region, plans were mentioned to develop complex logistics infrastructure, create smart logistics and industrial complexes, and foster high value-added logistics and manufacturing industries.

Other discussions covered establishing a metropolitan transportation network, building a metropolitan tourism belt, forming a Southeast regional food community, jointly responding to fine dust and Nakdong River water quality improvement, and establishing a regional innovation platform system where universities, companies, and public institutions in the Southeast region collaborate to nurture talent.

Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongnam aim to launch the Metropolitan Special Union in January next year by forming a joint promotion team by April, preparing regulations by August, and obtaining approval from the Ministry of the Interior and Safety by January next year.

Deputy Governor Ha Byungpil said, "Since the Southeast Region Metropolitan Special Union is the first special local government to be promoted nationwide, close consultation with the government and related organizations is necessary during the preparation process." He added, "There may be trial and error or difficulties during the promotion process, but I hope all departments participate and cooperate to accelerate the creation of the Southeast Mega City."

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