Kim Dong-yeon: "Please unite efforts to conclude the Northern Special Autonomous Province referendum by December"

Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon is speaking about current provincial issues at the Northern Rainwater Association held in Namyangju City on the 20th.

Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon appealed to local government heads and members of the National Assembly in the northern Gyeonggi region to help ensure that the final stage of establishing the ‘Gyeonggi Northern Special Autonomous Province’?the residents' referendum?can be concluded within December. He also strongly criticized the ‘Seoul Mega City’ initiative being pushed by some political circles, saying it completely contradicts existing policy directions such as decentralization.

On the 20th, at the 4th quarter Northern Kiwoohoe meeting held in Namyangju City, Governor Kim said, "The Gyeonggi Northern Special Autonomous Province has gone through vision and strategy formulation, gathering residents' opinions, and the provincial council's resolution, leaving only the residents' referendum as the final step." He added, "If a conclusion is reached by mid-December, the referendum could be held within February. Please join forces with us."

He continued, "If the residents' referendum takes place and the establishment of the Gyeonggi Northern Special Autonomous Province is realized, I assure you that I will devote all my energy to developing northern Gyeonggi." He emphasized, "This has nothing to do with politics. I am confident that the human resources, preserved ecology, and potential in the north are greater than anywhere else in South Korea."

Regarding concerns that 50 billion won is needed for the referendum, Governor Kim responded, "(I am) someone who has managed government finances exceeding 600 trillion won. I will say to use that money. I will generate 100 times, 1,000 times, even 10,000 times that amount for the development of the north. Let's raise our voices for northern development."

Governor Kim sharply criticized the Seoul Mega City initiative being promoted by some political factions, calling it "an outrageous matter."

He stated, "The Mega City concept is about reducing Seoul and boosting local areas. It originally means creating multiple local cities like Seoul in regions such as Chungcheong, Gwangju Honam, Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam (Buul-gyeong), Daegu, and Gyeongbuk. However, they are trying to create a Seoul Mega City by expanding Seoul and centralizing power there. I don't know if I should use this expression, but it's outrageous. They are doing the opposite. Seoul is already a Mega City."

He added, "For nearly 30 years, the highest vision for national land development in South Korea has been balanced national development, decentralization, and local autonomy. This has been consistently upheld since President Kim Dae-jung, and even so-called conservative presidents have said the same. On the day the ruling party decided to make Seoul Mega City their party platform, President Yoon was at a conference in Daejeon advocating for the era of local autonomy and balanced development. Where else in the world would you see such a comedy?"

Earlier, on November 2nd, President Yoon attended the ‘1st Local Autonomy and Balanced Development Day Ceremony’ held at the Daejeon Convention Center and stated, "The central government will transfer the powers it holds to local regions."

Governor Kim particularly criticized, "(The Seoul Mega City) suddenly emerged without any preparation and regardless of the vision South Korea has pursued. When asked about it, there are no answers. The same thing happened in 2008. Seoul promised New Town projects, which, to put it bluntly, was used heavily for election gains, but after the election, it was almost forgotten. Ultimately, it can only be interpreted politically."

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