Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam Special Union Scheduled for Abolition... Democratic Party Gyeongnam Provincial Committee Opposes "Proceed Normally"

City councilors from Geoje, Yangsan, Gimhae, and Changwon areas affiliated with the Democratic Party of Korea's Gyeongnam Provincial Party held a press conference opposing the abolition of the Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam Special Union agreement. / Photo by Ryeong Lee ryeong@

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Se-ryeong] The Democratic Party of Korea's Gyeongnam Provincial Party has opposed the Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam Special Union, which is following the procedure for abolishing its regulations according to the official announcements of the three heads of organizations.

City councilors from Geoje, Yangsan, Gimhae, and Changwon, affiliated with the provincial party, held a press conference on the 14th and raised their voices, saying, "Immediately withdraw the administrative notice to abolish the Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam Special Union regulations for the benefit of 3.4 million residents and the future of 500,000 youth, and proceed with the Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam Special Union normally."

On October 12, the heads of the Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam organizations announced, "The Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam Special Union has issues with effectiveness and efficiency, so it is difficult to launch it while these problems remain unresolved."

Gyeongnam Province plans to collect residents' opinions on the abolition of the regulations via mail, fax, and email until the 28th, review and decide whether to reflect them, and if there are no opinions, finalize the abolition regulation plan as per the administrative notice.

The provincial party city councilors said, "The Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam Special Union was initiated to create a new development axis for South Korea by linking regional hub cities such as Busan, Ulsan, Changwon, and Jinju, along with small and medium-sized cities and rural areas, for the mutual development of the metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas."

They claimed, "This was a project promoted as one team transcending politics and regions, regardless of conservative-progressive, ruling-opposition, or Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam areas. During his time as a member of the National Assembly, Governor Park Wan-su of Gyeongnam was also part of this one team, and Park Wan-su supported the full revision of the Local Autonomy Act, which laid the foundation for establishing the Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam Special Union."

They continued sharply, "Just two months after being elected governor, he suddenly declared withdrawal from the Special Union without clearly explaining the grounds to Gyeongnam residents or the Gyeongnam Provincial Council and hastily announced the Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam Ultra-Wide Economic Alliance."

They also said, "Former Governor Kim Kyung-soo continuously gathered opinions on the megacity through regular facility surveys and held forums," and delivered a statement to Gyeongnam Province including demands for residents' forums and the promotion of the Special Union.

The city councilors stated, "If a residents' forum on the Special Union is not held, we plan to hold our own forum."

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