Governor Kim Dong-yeon Meets 31 Mayors and County Chiefs for the First Time... Focus on 'Policy Exchange and Cooperation'

[Asia Economy (Suwon) = Reporter Lee Young-gyu] Gyeonggi Province and 31 cities and counties will regularly meet to promote policy cooperation. Additionally, town hall meetings involving residents will be held, and personnel exchanges between the province and cities/counties will be activated.

Gyeonggi Governor Kim Dong-yeon held his first official meeting since taking office on the 26th with the mayors and county heads of 31 cities and counties in the province at Gyeonggi Economic Science Promotion Agency Gwanggyo Hall in Yeongtong, Suwon, pledging cooperative governance for Gyeonggi's development. Attendees adopted a "Cooperative Governance Agreement" which includes operating the "Policy Cooperation Committee," a mutual cooperation and consultation body between the province and cities/counties.

Governor Kim first proposed, "I am confident that if Gyeonggi Province changes, the Republic of Korea will change," and urged, "Let's join forces with cities and counties to create a great turning point in Gyeonggi."

He added, "Most structural problems in the economy, society, and education arise from a lack of opportunities," and stated, "I want to break the cycle of opportunity inequality and create an inclusive and mutually prosperous community where residents receive equitable opportunities."

He also questioned, "Where would party lines or ideological logic exist in work for citizens, county residents, and provincial residents?" and emphasized, "Let's unite beyond ideology to create more and fairer opportunities."

At the meeting, in response to Governor Kim Dong-yeon's proposal that cooperative governance and coexistence are urgently needed, the mayors and county heads responded positively, and the cooperative governance agreement was adopted. The province and 31 cities/counties agreed on three measures as efforts and solidarity plans for residents' happiness.

According to the three agreed measures, the governor and mayors/county heads will regularly meet to operate the "Policy Cooperation Committee" for mutual cooperation and consultation. Also, the province and cities/counties will hold monthly "Town Hall Meetings" (resident meetings) to directly communicate with residents and resolve livelihood issues.

Furthermore, to establish a collaborative system among local governments and form a policy consensus, personnel exchanges between the province and cities/counties, as well as among cities/counties themselves, will be expanded.

Attendees agreed to decide on specific schedules and details of the agreed matters through additional practical discussions.

However, regarding the establishment of the "Gyeonggi Northern Special Autonomous Province," attendees attempted to draft an agreement focusing on joint efforts by the 31 cities and counties, but some cities and counties expressed the need for further discussion, so it will be discussed at the next Policy Cooperation Committee meeting.

Separately, the province will proceed steadily with the establishment of the Gyeonggi Northern Special Autonomous Province.

Lee Hyun-jae, mayor of Hanam City and temporary chairman of the Gyeonggi Province Mayors and County Heads Council, responded, "I hope this meeting does not end as a one-time event but that several projects will practically cooperate through city and county policy agreements," and added, "I hope it develops into a place that shows Gyeonggi Province as the center of the Republic of Korea."

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