Gyeongnam-Busan Administrative Integration Reignited ... Governor Park Wansoo Says "Final Decision Lies with Citizens"

Four Key Conditions for Successful Integration Including Building Consensus

Ulsan Encouraged to Join to Counterbalance Seoul Metropolitan Area

As discussions on administrative integration between Gyeongnam and Busan have reignited, Park Wansu, Governor of Gyeongnam Province, has presented four conditions for the successful integration with Busan.

According to Gyeongnam Province, on the morning of the 17th, Governor Park met with Park Hyungjun, Mayor of Busan, at Busan City Hall to discuss administrative integration between the two regions.

Park Wansu, Governor of Gyeongnam Province, is discussing administrative integration in a secret meeting with Busan City. [Photo by Gyeongnam Provincial Government]

Governor Park stated, "Since the 8th popularly elected term, Gyeongnam and Busan have been the first to pursue administrative integration," emphasizing, "Administrative integration must proceed together with the citizens of both regions."

He added, "There are few successful cases of the past top-down approach to administrative integration, where orders are given from above," and stressed, "The final decision-makers, the citizens, must participate in the decision on administrative integration."

He also said, "There is no precedent for integration between metropolitan governments in the history of Korea, so it is necessary to approach this carefully to minimize trial and error."

He continued, "Full autonomy must be guaranteed for the integrated local government," and emphasized, "If integration between metropolitan governments is achieved, the central government should guarantee a level of autonomy for the local government equivalent to that of a local government under a federal system."

Governor Park said, "In order to respond to the capital-centric system, Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongnam must become one," adding, "While Busan and Gyeongnam are currently discussing integration, the participation of Ulsan Metropolitan City will be necessary in the long term for the complete integration of the region."

Governor Park Wansu of Gyeongnam Province (right) and Mayor Park Hyeongjun of Busan are shaking hands after adopting a joint agreement for administrative integration and becoming a key growth hub in the southern region. Photo by Gyeongnam Provincial Office

At the meeting, Gyeongnam Province and Busan City adopted a joint agreement for administrative integration and to advance as a core growth hub in the southern region.

First, the two regions agreed that building consensus among citizens is the most important factor in promoting administrative integration.

To this end, by September, they will prepare a Gyeongnam-Busan administrative integration plan and launch a tentatively named "Gyeongnam-Busan Administrative Integration Public Discussion Committee" to facilitate public discussion led by the private sector.

Afterwards, they plan to conduct a public opinion survey by March next year to confirm the will of the citizens.

They will also pursue the enactment of a special law to transfer local autonomy and fiscal authority, excluding the central government's powers over diplomacy, security, and the judiciary, so that the integrated local government can secure substantial authority and resources.

As a core growth hub in the southern region, they will cooperate to foster new growth industries, nurture talent, establish a Northeast Asia logistics platform, build a one-hour wide-area transportation network, and improve the metropolitan public transportation system, focusing on supporting citizen convenience and reducing corporate logistics costs.

Additionally, in accordance with the principle of mutual trust and sincerity, both regions will work together to provide clean water that satisfies citizens and to respond to green algae outbreaks and improve water quality in the Nakdong River.

Furthermore, from the perspective of joint prosperity, they will also join forces to resolve inconveniences for residents in border areas.

The meeting was held behind closed doors, and from Gyeongnam, Governor Park, the Director of Planning and Coordination, the Policy Planning Officer, and the Special Policy Advisor attended, while from Busan, Mayor Park, the Director of Administration and Autonomy, the Special Political Advisor, and the Political Planning Advisor were present.

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