Kim Dong-yeon Urges Enactment of Special Act to Establish Gyeonggi Northern Special Self-Governing Province

Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon is taking a commemorative photo with members of the National Assembly and other attendees at the 'Special Self-Governing Province for Northern Gyeonggi Establishment National Assembly Forum' held on the 2nd at the National Assembly Library in Yeouido, Seoul.

Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon urged the National Assembly to enact the "Special Act on the Establishment of the Northern Gyeonggi Special Self-Governing Province."

At the 'National Assembly Forum on the Establishment of the Northern Gyeonggi Special Self-Governing Province' held on the 2nd at the National Assembly Library in Yeouido, Seoul, Governor Kim said in his welcoming remarks, "Northern Gyeonggi has the greatest growth potential in South Korea, and I have come to believe that it is not merely about compensating for overlapping damages over the past 70 years, but a driving force that can lead the South Korean economy and our society." He emphasized, "I believe that the development of the North is one of the important sources to fill the gap where South Korea's growth potential is declining or, furthermore, to increase the potential growth rate itself."

He added, "Putting aside political interests, please pass the special law on the Northern Special Self-Governing Province before next year's general election," and promised, "Gyeonggi Province will create a growth vision suitable for the North. Considering the 3.6 million excellent human resources, good natural environment, and the uniqueness symbolized by peace, we will create a vision tailored to the North and the respective region."

Governor Kim also called for cooperation from the Gyeonggi Provincial Council.

Referring to the fact that many Gyeonggi Provincial Council members from the People Power Party attended the forum, Governor Kim said, "Although the Democratic Party and People Power Party council members are evenly split at 78 to 78, more People Power Party council members attended the forum. Political affiliation does not matter to me," and stated, "As the person responsible for provincial administration, if the Northern Gyeonggi Special Self-Governing Province is established as planned, I can confidently promise the development of Gyeonggi Province and South Korea."

He continued, "What is somewhat regrettable is that the special committee was not properly formed in the provincial council this time," and appealed, "I assume there were various circumstances, but I earnestly ask that a special committee be established in the next session."

The forum, co-hosted by 49 National Assembly members from Gyeonggi Province and the province itself, was chaired by Assemblyman Yoon Ho-jung. Senior Research Fellow Lee Jeong-hoon of the Gyeonggi Research Institute and Professor Lee Young-sung of Seoul National University Graduate School of Environmental Studies gave presentations on "Vision and Tasks of the Northern Gyeonggi Special Self-Governing Province" and "Industrial Restructuring Potential and National Competitiveness of Northern Gyeonggi," respectively. Following them, Dr. Kim Young-soo from the Korea Institute for Industrial Economics & Trade, Professor Kim Hyun-soo from Dankook University, Professor So Seong-gyu from Daejin University, An Seung-dae, Director of Local Autonomy and Decentralization Policy at the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, and Joo Won, Head of Economic Research at Hyundai Research Institute, participated as discussants.

Senior Research Fellow Lee Jeong-hoon emphasized, "Northern Gyeonggi has unlimited development potential geopolitically and serves as a pivotal hub for inter-Korean cooperation and integration," adding, "The Northern Gyeonggi Special Self-Governing Province is not just an issue for Northern Gyeonggi itself but a national agenda to establish a new growth engine for South Korea as a medium-term vision and to create a future Korean Peninsula integration hub evolving into an 'International Peace and Freedom City' as a long-term vision."

Professor Lee Young-sung argued, "Just as the center of South Korea's industrial location shifted from the Gyeongbu axis to the Chungcheong region, the industrial location landscape changes," and stated, "In the era of knowledge-intensive industries, Northern Gyeonggi, which has excellent accessibility to the metropolitan area and available land, is an alternative for securing new national industrial competitiveness."

Meanwhile, Gyeonggi Province aims to launch the Northern Gyeonggi Special Self-Governing Province on July 1, 2026, and announced the "Northern Gyeonggi Special Self-Governing Province Establishment Promotion Plan" last March, focusing on building a broad consensus among residents.

The province launched a public-private joint promotion committee at the end of last year and activated a public discussion committee in April. It plans to establish the "Basic Plan and Vision & Development Strategy" by November.

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