Gyeongnam Province vs Provincial Council, Conflict Over Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam Special Union 'Intensifies'

Parliamentary Leadership Expresses Regret Over Gyeongnam Province's Unilateral Policy Announcement

Gyeongnam Provincial Council. / Photo by Se-ryeong Lee ryeong@

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Seryeong] “It is regrettable that the policy direction was announced unilaterally without any consultation with the Provincial Council.”

On the 21st, the leadership of the Gyeongnam Provincial Council expressed a de facto opposition stance regarding the administrative integration plan for Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongnam (Bu-Ul-Gyeong) proposed by Gyeongnam Province on the 19th, along with its intention to withdraw from the Bu-Ul-Gyeong Special Union.

Earlier, the Gyeongnam Province announced that the Gyeongnam Research Institute’s study from July to August on the effectiveness of the Bu-Ul-Gyeong Special Union concluded it was a “wasteful and redundant structure.”

According to the province, current related laws only provide the basis for establishing a special union but lack independent authority for handling metropolitan tasks, national support strategies, or necessary financial support foundations.

Governor Park Wan-su stated, “The fundamental purpose of Bu-Ul-Gyeong cooperation is to overcome the concentration in the metropolitan area and achieve balanced regional development, but except for Yangsan and Gimhae, other local governments in Gyeongnam receive almost no benefits.”

He added, “Without establishing grounds for financial support or delegation of national affairs, there is no practical benefit,” emphasizing, “Since Bu-Ul-Gyeong was once a single local government, it is necessary to integrate again as one family to overcome the local crisis.”

On the same day, Chairman Kim Jin-bu, First Vice Chairman Choi Hak-beom, and Second Vice Chairman Kang Yong-beom argued, “The decision to change the direction of the special union, which has been pursued for the past two and a half years, is not something Gyeongnam Province can decide unilaterally.”

The leadership explained, “While promoting the Bu-Ul-Gyeong Special Union, Gyeongnam Province has cooperated mutually through consensus-building with the Gyeongnam Provincial Council, which is a member of the special union council.”

“To pass the Bu-Ul-Gyeong Special Union agreement in the Gyeongnam Provincial Council, the province visited the council several times to explain the urgency and necessity and requested cooperation, resulting in its passage in the council plenary session on April 15 after much difficulty,” they added.

According to the leadership, at that time, concerns were raised about the potential neglect of the western Gyeongnam region, the unreasonable number of special union council members, and unclear expressions regarding the office location.

The Provincial Council stated that despite these issues, it actively cooperated with Gyeongnam Province, recognizing the need to promote regional development against the metropolitan area’s one-pole system and to secure national subsidies incentives through the special union.

The leadership said, “Whether to proceed with the Bu-Ul-Gyeong Special Union should rightfully be decided after prior consultation with the Provincial Council and gathering public opinion, so it is regrettable that this process was not followed.”

They added, “We hope that in the future, when Gyeongnam Province decides on important provincial policies, it will closely consult with the Provincial Council and actively communicate with the residents. If Gyeongnam Province continues these efforts, the Provincial Council will also actively cooperate with the provincial administration for the development of Gyeongnam and the happy lives of its residents.”

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