Kim Dong-yeon "Reinitiating Gyeonggi Northern Autonomous Residents' Referendum... Considering City and County Council Approval"

Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon is holding a press conference on the Special Self-Governing Province of Northern Gyeonggi on the 3rd.

Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon announced that although the 'Gyeonggi Northern Special Autonomous Province referendum' he requested was canceled, he plans to pursue it again in the 22nd National Assembly through a 'common pledge' targeting candidates from the northern Gyeonggi region running in the upcoming April parliamentary election (general election).

However, he added that if the referendum is not feasible, he will ask the Gyeonggi Provincial Council and the local city and county councils in the region for their approval or disapproval of establishing the Gyeonggi Northern Special Autonomous Province, as stipulated in the current Local Autonomy Act.

He also emphasized that to ensure the unwavering promotion of the Gyeonggi Northern Special Autonomous Province, a task force (TF) led by the second deputy governor of administration will be established, and the name of the Gyeonggi Northern Special Autonomous Province will be solicited through a public contest.

At a press conference held on the 3rd at the briefing room of Gyeonggi Provincial Government in Suwon regarding the cancellation of the referendum for establishing the Gyeonggi Northern Special Autonomous Province, Governor Kim said, "To promote the Gyeonggi Northern Special Autonomous Province, there is a method to obtain approval or disapproval from the Gyeonggi Provincial Council and the relevant local city and county councils according to the current Local Autonomy Act." He explained, "(However, I) requested the government for a referendum because I believe that gathering residents' opinions is more important for gaining momentum in project promotion than passing resolutions in city and county councils."

He continued, "In the 21st National Assembly, considering physical time constraints, the referendum was canceled, but we will boldly and fairly push forward and pursue the referendum again," adding, "We plan to propose common pledges to candidates from the northern Gyeonggi region running in this general election and proceed mainly with lawmakers who enter the 22nd National Assembly."

However, he stated, "If all these situations are not feasible, we will promote the Gyeonggi Northern Special Autonomous Province through approval or disapproval resolutions from the Gyeonggi Provincial Council and the relevant city and county councils, as stipulated in the current Local Autonomy Act."

Governor Kim promised to "expand and concretize the northern grand development vision" to ensure the uninterrupted promotion of the Gyeonggi Northern Special Autonomous Province, saying, "We will awaken the potential of the northern region through improvements in transportation infrastructure, job creation, enhancement of quality of life including education and medical care, and development of ecological tourism resources, and furthermore, expand this to the Republic of Korea."

Furthermore, he explained, "We will establish a northern grand development task force (TF) led by the second deputy governor of administration and hold a public contest to rename the Gyeonggi Northern Special Autonomous Province," adding, "The northern region, which will receive a new name through the contest, will embody future-oriented characteristics that align with historical significance and the flow of the times."

Governor Kim particularly emphasized, "Balanced national development has been a fundamental direction and strategy of national governance pursued by successive governments for over 30 years, regardless of political party lines. It was even a value aimed for during the military dictatorship era," and added, "The Gyeonggi Northern Special Autonomous Province is a highly advanced national development strategy that combines the value of balanced national development with local autonomy and decentralization."

He also shared, "I felt rewarded and energized while promoting this matter," and said, "This is because the residents of northern Gyeonggi have gained pride, self-esteem, and confidence."

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