Unlike Jeju and Sejong... Gangwon-do to Establish Its Own 'Special Self-Governing Province'

'The Era of Local Autonomy, Where Should Decentralization in Gangwon-do Head?' Discussion Forum Held
Comparative Analysis of Key Special Cases in Jeju Special Self-Governing Province and Sejong Special Self-Governing City
Future Prospects of Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province Through Strengths and Weaknesses of Major Overseas Cities

On the 25th, the Gangwon Forum of the Gangwon Research Institute held a seminar titled "Where Should Decentralization in Gangwon Province Go in the Era of Local Autonomy?" at the National Assembly Members' Office Building, Seminar Room 2. Photo by Ra Young-cheol

[Asia Economy Reporter Ra Young-cheol] Gangwon Province has prepared a forum for public discussion in anticipation of the launch of the Special Self-Governing Province in June next year, and has drawn a blueprint for completing the development strategy of the Special Self-Governing Province.

On the 25th, the province held a forum titled "The Era of Local Government, Where Should Gangwon's Decentralization Go?" at the National Assembly Members' Office Building in Yeouido, inviting experts in environment, economy, law, and regional balanced development.

Kim Beom-su, head of the Decentralization Research Office at the Gangwon Research Institute, gave the keynote presentation, followed by discussions from Park Seok-soon, Professor Emeritus at Ewha Womans University; Oh Jeong-geun, President of the Korea Financial ICT Convergence Society; Lee Ki-woo, Professor at Inha University Law School; and Han Pyo-hwan, former President of the Korea Institute of Local Administration.

Kim Beom-su compared the major special provisions of Jeju Special Self-Governing Province and Sejong Special Self-Governing City, presenting the concept and direction of decentralization for Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province.

He defined the nature of the Gangwon Special Act (abbreviated) similarly to the Gangwon Economic Development Act and emphasized regional development through substantial decentralization.

In particular, he pointed out, "Central rights and powers must be dispersed to local governments, and based on freedom and responsibility, local issues must be resolved independently," adding, "Except for security and diplomacy, regional autonomy should be recognized while correcting the misconceptions accumulated over 31 years of local autonomy."

He cited overseas examples highlighting the strengths of Madeira (Portugal), Hokkaido (Japan), Wageningen (Netherlands), Napa Valley (USA), Bulle (Switzerland), and Cannes (France).

The discussants advised, "Regulations hindering Gangwon Province's development should be lifted as soon as possible, and various strategies that leverage Gangwon's special features and strengths must be established."

Professor Park Seok-soon emphasized, "The basis of local decentralization is to prevent interference from the central government and guarantee local creativity."

He pointed out, "Our country neglects the 'right to environmental protection,' which is the right of citizens to live in a healthy and pleasant environment," adding, "Gangwon Province suffers the most damage from regulations such as water source protection, greenbelt development restrictions, and natural conservation zones."

He identified the causes of these persistent regulations as "lack of logic," "lack of cases," and "lack of scientific solutions."

He stated, "When environmental impact assessments due to decentralization are transferred to local governments, many cases should be studied, logic developed, and scientific solutions proposed."

He particularly emphasized, "Hydropower is an economically viable energy source, and supplying hydropower from dams such as Chuncheon, Soyang, Hwacheon, Uiam, and Hoengseong to Gangwon Province companies is important."

He also proposed, "In the wireless communication era, Gangwon should utilize its clean and pollution-free environment to reduce artificial electromagnetic wave damage and pilot projects in the East Sea of Gangwon, similar to the Netherlands where ships are floated on the sea to raise cattle."

Chairman Oh Jeong-geun stated, "Regulation-free zones, venture companies, and human resource development strategies are needed to keep local talents in the region," emphasizing "the connection of a metropolitan mega-city and smart small cities that can compete with the metropolitan area."

He added, "The Gangwon Innovation Campus Town should be fostered, and support for key universities should be provided to cultivate local talent. The authority over university policies in cities and provinces should be transferred to the heads of local governments, and global innovation special zones by region should be created to merge or close universities in crisis."

He also cited examples such as the 'Pyeongchang Artificial Intelligence (AI) Smart City Construction' and 'Yeongwol Drone Mecca Development Special Zone,' adding, "Tourism, shopping, and other metaverse companies should be massively attracted to develop Gangwon as a metaverse hub."

He emphasized the need for local finance, saying, "A venture finance ecosystem should be established to supply funds to Gangwon innovation special zone startups, and a Gangwon regional bank should be established to mandate that 60% of deposits be loaned to local small and medium enterprises."

Additionally, he proposed, "Attracting foreign investment and at least 100 data companies," and "Promoting special projects by city and county, such as developing four-season tourism and leisure special zones utilizing Gangwon's unique geographical tourism resources."

Professor Lee Ki-woo criticized Gangwon's regulations, saying, "For regional development, hands and feet must not be tied."

He explained, "It is a lie that the state will develop the region. The region must develop under its own responsibility," adding, "What Gangwon can demand through the Special Self-Governing Province is to open legislative, administrative, financial, and policy spaces."

He emphasized, "For Gangwon to develop economically and increase happiness through the Special Self-Governing Province, the firm will of Gangwon residents and the unity of local politicians to conceive and realize new ideas are key."

Former President Han Pyo-hwan argued, "In the era of the 4th Industrial Revolution, executing Gangwon's future vision is only possible through the Special Self-Governing Province."

He said, "How Gangwon will envision 20 or 30 years from now is a very important issue," advising, "Various strategies are needed to develop and realize future visions such as international tourist cities, global exchange cities, and eco-friendly cities."

He added, "The time to prepare the Gangwon Special Self-Governing Act is tight," and suggested, "It is necessary to secure only the necessary parts from a decentralization perspective first and approach step by step."

He emphasized the prompt preparation of the vision, saying, "Since the Gangwon vision planning work is considerably delayed, once it is somewhat organized, various strategies will emerge, followed by projects and special provisions according to those strategies."

Governor Kim Jin-tae, who attended the forum, said, "In June next year, Gangwon Province is facing a major transformation into the Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province for the first time in 628 years," adding, "It will launch as the country's first inland-type special self-governing province where metropolitan and basic local governments coexist, creating a new model of local autonomy never seen before."

The forum was co-hosted by the Gangwon Research Institute, Gangwon Province, and National Assembly members Kwon Seong-dong, Noh Yong-ho, Park Jeong-ha, Song Ki-heon, Yoo Sang-beom, Lee Yang-su, Lee Cheol-gyu, Han Ki-ho, and Heo Young.

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