Changwon Mayor Heo Seong-mu, "Gyeongnam is the Optimal Location for the Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam Special Union Office"

Claimed at briefing on the 26th, declared challenge to host in Changwon

Changwon Mayor Heo Seong-mu is holding a briefing on the 26th, discussing the Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam Special Union office.
[Image source=Changwon City]

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Sang-hyun] On the 26th, Changwon City in Gyeongnam proposed principles for balanced development and coexistence to the ‘BooUlGyeong Mega City’ at a briefing, emphasizing communication and transparency, respect for autonomy, and securing objectivity in office selection.

The ‘Southeast Mega City’ is a super-regional cooperative body proposed by Gyeongnam, Busan, and Ulsan as a new local autonomy model for national balanced development to overcome the unipolar system of the metropolitan area. With the full revision of the Local Autonomy Act, legal grounds for the establishment of special local governments have been prepared, gaining momentum and currently under discussion.

The ‘BooUlGyeong Special Local Government Joint Promotion Team,’ launched in July last year, is coordinating major agendas such as mega city affairs, council formation, and government buildings, accelerating the launch of the BooUlGyeong Special Union in the first half of 2022.

In response, Mayor Heo Seong-moo expressed concerns at the briefing, stating, “Contrary to the domestic and international interest in the mega city and the expectations of 3.3 million Gyeongnam residents including Changwon Special City citizens, there are several worrisome points when looking at the progress so far.”

He proposed the principle that “the mega city should be promoted as a new governance where Gyeongnam residents and citizens of Busan and Ulsan can all live well together.”

First, he emphasized communication and transparency throughout the launch process, saying, “It is not desirable to unilaterally proceed by blindly following what metropolitan cities and provinces have decided.”

He expressed concern that during the drafting process of the ‘Regulations Draft,’ which can be considered the basic law of the BooUlGyeong Special Union, there was insufficient consultation with city and county local governments in the province directly affected by the draft, fearing that the draft could become a new source of conflict.

He continued, “Differences in administrative conditions, structure, financial capacity, and authority and capability for independent planning between the autonomous districts of Busan and Ulsan and the 18 cities and counties of Gyeongnam must be acknowledged, and the voices of cities and counties should be heard.”

He pointed out that although super-regional affairs cross regional boundaries, the scope and area of those affairs are inevitably deeply related to basic local governments. In cases where the affairs of the special union overlap with those of basic local governments, he urged the establishment of institutional measures allowing related local governments to submit opinions and consult at special union meetings.

Regarding the location of the special union office, he argued, “Considering all factors such as urban symbolism, geographical conditions encompassing the entire BooUlGyeong area, infrastructure, and efficiency, the optimal location for the office is undoubtedly Gyeongnam.”

He then declared, “The region selected must secure legitimacy through fair competition, and our city will also compete to attract the office.”

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