"Preventing Jeollanam-do's Local Extinction"... All-Out Effort for Special Self-Governing Province Act Enactment

Jeollanam-do Council Special Committee
Calls for "National-Level Support for Special Zones"

The Special Committee for Supporting the Promotion of Jeollanam-do Special Self-Governing Province of the Jeollanam-do Provincial Council has requested active cooperation from the National Assembly for the enactment of a special law to overcome the crisis of local extinction.

The committee announced on the 25th that, on the afternoon of the 24th, it met with Shin Jung-hoon, Chair of the National Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee (Democratic Party of Korea, Naju·Hwasun), at the National Assembly and officially requested cooperation for the enactment of the "Special Act on the Establishment of Jeollanam-do Special Self-Governing Province" and the "tentative name: Special Act on the Creation and Support of Youth Special Zones."

The Jeollanam-do Provincial Council's Special Committee for the Promotion of Jeollanam Special Self-Governing Province officially requested cooperation for the enactment of the "Special Act on the Establishment of Jeollanam Special Self-Governing Province" and the "Special Act on the Creation and Support of Youth Special Zones" in a meeting with Shin Jeonghun, Chairman of the National Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee. Provided by Jeonnam Provincial Council

During the meeting, the committee emphasized the necessity of enacting a special law that includes customized authority exceptions to respond to local extinction. The Jeollanam-do Special Self-Governing Province Special Act includes key provisions such as the authority to establish local industrial complexes, the authority to grant permits for new and renewable energy development projects, and the transfer of authority to establish or amend social security systems.

Park Jongwon, Chair of the Special Committee, diagnosed, "Jeollanam-do is the region facing the most severe crisis of local extinction in the country, and it is difficult to overcome the regional crisis with the existing authorities." He further emphasized, "Through the launch of a differentiated special self-governing body, including special exceptions to address low birth rates for population vitality and the establishment of future growth engines in advanced industries and new and renewable energy, we aim to create a leading model of autonomous decentralization, not just a special self-governing province in name only."

In response, Chair Shin stated, "I deeply sympathize with the reality of Jeollanam-do and the seriousness of local extinction," and added, "I will actively support so that the Jeollanam-do special self-governing province model can become a best practice nationwide." Chair Shin also emphasized the need to establish a metropolitan transportation system and expand cooperation between Gwangju and Jeollanam-do, linking these efforts to the "5 Poles 3 Specials" strategy, a national agenda of the Lee Jaemyung administration.

Other committee members present at the meeting also presented specific directions for promotion. Representative Jeong Cheol said, "We will continuously hold policy forums and discussions in connection with organizations such as the Local Extinction Research Association to more effectively supplement the special law."

Representative Lim Hyungseok stated, "This special law was proposed under the previous administration, so it needs to be supplemented to align with the new government's policy direction." Representative Lee Jaetae said, "I will personally experience the commuting conditions of residents traveling from Bitgaram and Yeongsanpo to Gwangju," and added, "I will work to improve the system so that there is no inconvenience in transportation in any living area."

The committee also proposed the introduction of a state-led youth special zone system to strengthen youth policies in areas with declining populations. The current Youth Basic Act has been criticized for making it difficult to implement practical youth policies in financially weak regions due to the burden of matching local funds. Accordingly, the committee also proposed the enactment of the "tentative name: Special Act on the Creation and Support of Youth Special Zones."

Chair Shin said, "I agree on the necessity of policies to help young people settle in the region and bring vitality," and added, "I will work to ensure that discussions on the enactment of the Youth Special Zone Special Act take place in the National Assembly."

The Jeollanam-do Provincial Council's special committee announced that it will continue to work closely with the National Assembly and central government agencies, focusing all its efforts on legislative and policy initiatives for the development of the Jeollanam-do region.

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