Gyeongnam Governor Park Wan-su: "Administrative Integration Discussions Must Properly Reflect the Will of City and Provincial Residents"

"The determination to follow the will of the residents regarding administrative integration with Busan remains unchanged. However, since it cannot be achieved by Gyeongnam alone, Busan must participate as well."

On the morning of the 18th, Park Wan-su, Governor of Gyeongnam Province, spoke about the Busan-Gyeongnam administrative integration at a press briefing at the provincial office.

Governor Park said, "We intended to conduct a public opinion survey in the first half of this year to accurately understand the residents' will and quickly decide whether to proceed, so as to avoid related conflicts or administrative waste, but we are considering postponing it to the second half."

He added, "Currently, Busan City is focusing on attracting the Expo and is not paying much attention to administrative integration, and I feel that promotion of the pros and cons of integration to residents is insufficient. I think it is necessary to gather opinions after residents fully understand the advantages and disadvantages of integration to accurately grasp their will."

Governor Park also pointed out that the format of the discussion should be somewhat changed.

"Currently, panels supporting and opposing integration present their arguments, but instead of asking city and provincial residents to support or oppose integration, the discussion should accurately present the pros and cons of integrating or maintaining the status quo," he said.

Gyeongnam Province Governor Park Wansu is conversing with reporters at a press briefing.
[Photo by Lee Seryeong]

Regarding the Space Aviation Agency, he predicted it would be established in Sacheon by the end of this year according to the government's plan.

He said, "I also received a promise from Jeong Cheong-rae, Chairman of the National Assembly Science, Technology, Information and Broadcasting Committee, to pass the special law for the Space Aviation Agency in May," adding, "Once the committee convenes, the special law will likely pass the National Assembly without major issues."

On the issue of Japan's Fukushima nuclear power plant contaminated water discharge into the ocean, he firmly stated, "I am absolutely opposed to the discharge of contaminated water whose safety has not been confirmed."

He continued, "We are strengthening safety management by operating a dedicated organization, supporting radiation measurement equipment, expanding investigations, and enhancing origin labeling and monitoring of seafood distribution. We are also preparing countermeasures in case contaminated water is discharged."

Governor Park also addressed the widespread jeonse fraud nationwide.

"So far, 23 cases amounting to about 5.5 billion KRW have been reported in the province," he said, adding, "We are implementing measures such as low-interest loans and financial support, securing emergency support housing through a business agreement with LH, and refunding jeonse deposit guarantee fees. We will continue to discuss support measures with the central government and financial institutions."

He cited the lack of youth-preferred jobs and competitive schools as causes of population decline and youth outflow in the province.

He said, "Although Gyeongnam's economic indicators have improved and the job shortage issue is being resolved, to address the low job preference for manufacturing industries such as defense, machinery, and shipbuilding, it is necessary to foster service industries like tourism," and emphasized, "We must work with institutions such as the Asia Institute of Technology, KAIST branch campus, and existing universities like Changwon National University, Gyeongsang National University, and Gyeongnam National University to develop them into prestigious universities."

Regarding the installation of a cable car in Jirisan, he said, "Whether in Sancheong or Hamyang, we will support the place that can proceed with the cable car project first and cooperate with the relevant local governments to obtain approval from the government or related agencies."

On the Gaya Tumuli Cluster in Gimhae and Haman, which is awaiting final UNESCO World Cultural Heritage registration, he said, "Once registration is completed, the related local governments should jointly establish a comprehensive plan for excavation and restoration and request the central government to proceed with it as a national project."

Regarding the construction of a Japanese military comfort women history museum, he stated that a previous study conducted during the former governor's term concluded it was inappropriate due to lack of materials and preparation, but said he would reconsider once related materials and documents are sufficiently collected.

Governor Park said, "Gyeongnam's April economic indicators showed the lowest number of unemployed in three years, the lowest inflation rate in five years, and the highest manufacturing production index in five years," and expressed gratitude to the residents who have united to help the Gyeongnam economy, which has struggled for over a decade, enter a full recovery phase, promising to continue efforts to revitalize the regional economy.

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