What Are the Benefits of Administrative Integration Between Busan and Gyeongnam?

Holding the 1st Discussion Forum on Integrated Promotion

The 1st discussion forum on the promotion of administrative integration between Busan and Gyeongnam was held at 2 p.m. on the 27th in the main auditorium of the new building at the Gyeongnam Provincial Government Office.

The forum began with keynote presentations by Research Fellow Minji Ha from the Gyeongnam Research Institute and Research Fellow Songnyeon Kim from the Korea Institute for Industrial Economics and Trade.

Research Fellow Ha presented on the topic "The Direction for Busan-Gyeongnam Administrative Integration," explaining the necessity, advantages and disadvantages, major domestic and international cases of administrative integration, and the promotion procedures.

Research Fellow Kim presented on the topic "A Study on the Expected Effects of Busan-Gyeongnam Administrative Integration," covering the background of administrative district integration, expected effects of administrative integration, and industrial strategies before and after integration.

At the 1st discussion forum on the promotion of administrative integration between Busan and Gyeongnam, the discussants are sharing their opinions.
[Photo by Lee Seryeong]

After the presentations, Professor Kyunghoon Park from Changwon National University chaired the session, leading into a full-fledged discussion.

Panelists included Assemblyman Kisoo Woo from the Gyeongnam Provincial Council, Professor Hongsang Jeong from the Department of Public Administration at Kyungpook National University, Professor Emeritus Woobae Lee from the Department of Police Administration at Inje University, and Director Jaewoon Shim of the Economic Policy Headquarters at the Busan Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Assemblyman Woo stated, "Administrative integration is when two or more local governments integrate all affairs and decision-making authority to ultimately launch as a new single local government," adding, "To achieve this, agreement between cities and provinces, resident referendums, and legal enactments must be passed, and support from city and provincial councils, the central government, and political parties is necessary."

Regarding the role of local councils in administrative integration, he listed ▲understanding local public opinion ▲bipartisan cooperation when deciding on integration ▲overcoming selfishness based on political interests and regional gains and losses ▲strengthening the role of metropolitan and basic council members closely connected to residents ▲forming a preparatory committee for city and provincial council integration ▲enacting ordinances related to administrative integration ▲urging and proposing the enactment of a special law on administrative integration.

Professor Jeong, based on discussions about administrative integration between Daegu and Gyeongbuk, said, "The issues affecting Daegu citizens and Gyeongbuk residents significantly require an administrative entity encompassing both Daegu and Gyeongbuk, rather than Daegu City Hall or Gyeongbuk Provincial Office alone, to be resolved, which is why integration was pursued," adding, "Daegu views problems from Daegu’s perspective and Gyeongbuk from Gyeongbuk’s perspective, which limits problem-solving."

He emphasized, "If cooperation between local government heads does not occur or their will weakens, discussions on integration become meaningless," and "Consensus must be formed through consultation and agreement with city and provincial residents, and a plan must be derived in that process."

"It is not about pushing forward according to the leader’s thoughts or fully accepting city and provincial residents’ opinions, but rather about rigorously deliberating and publicizing plans to persuade the central government and secure special support," he added.

The 1st discussion on the promotion of administrative integration between Busan and Gyeongnam is taking place.
[Photo by Lee Seryeong]

Professor Emeritus Lee explained the population decline and manufacturing decline in the Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam region and forecasted the economic effects of administrative integration.

He said, "In federal countries such as Germany, France, and the United States, or regions led by regional governments, policy development and implementation proceed faster than in areas led by individual local governments," and presented the expected effects as ▲fostering new industries ▲creating high-wage service jobs ▲realizing sustainable and stable metropolitan administration.

Director Shim of the Economic Policy Headquarters advised, "Regional integration discussions are about sharing strategic considerations for local survival," adding, "There is not much time left to respond to the crisis of local extinction, so it is necessary to share regional competitiveness through integration and segment strategies to maximize it."

He also mentioned identifying specialized industries by region, establishing mid- to long-term strategies for effective resource allocation, developing and accumulating successful cases of integration and cooperation by individual projects, presenting a vision for integration, and preparing measures to induce central government support.

On the day, Ki-young Kim, Director of the Planning and Coordination Office of Gyeongnam Province, said, "Before the public opinion survey in May and June, we will provide objective information on administrative integration and create opportunities to hear diverse opinions from residents through three discussion forums," adding, "We hope for much interest and participation in the upcoming 2nd and 3rd forums."

Since the 27th, Gyeongnam Province has been providing basic information related to the promotion background, advantages and disadvantages, and expected effects of Busan-Gyeongnam administrative integration on its website, along with videos of the administrative integration forums, presentation materials, and press releases related to administrative integration.

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