Gwangju Chamber Warns Government's Refusal of Special Cases in Integrated Metropolitan Bill Could Lead to a "Merely Nominal Integration"

Exterior view of the Gwangju Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The Gwangju Chamber of Commerce and Industry said on the 11th, "We express deep concern over the central government ministries' stance of refusing to accept large-scale special cases in connection with the 'Special Act on the Establishment of the Integrated Metropolitan City of Jeonnam-Gwangju' currently under discussion in the National Assembly, and we urge the government to make bold and responsible decisions."

In a press release issued the same day, the Gwangju Chamber of Commerce and Industry stated, "The administrative integration of Gwangju and Jeonnam is a national strategy aimed at responding to the crisis of local extinction and establishing a new model for balanced national development," adding, "It is a task of our time that must be pursued for the sustainable development of the Republic of Korea under the current Seoul metropolitan area-centered system."

It continued, "The special act currently under discussion is the outcome of discussions and deliberations by Gwangju City, South Jeolla Province, local members of the National Assembly, and citizens of the city and province. However, as central government ministries recently announced a position of non-acceptance regarding 119 special cases out of a total of 386 articles, concerns are growing over the effectiveness of the act," and pointed out, "Although new energy industries, artificial intelligence and semiconductors, ports and logistics, and the development of national industrial complexes are future growth engines for Gwangju and Jeonnam and core areas directly linked to national competitiveness, excluding the related special cases on the grounds of fairness and nationwide expansion is a judgment that fails to reflect local realities and the strategic needs of the nation."

It also stated, "If key special cases are excluded from the special act, the administrative integration of Gwangju and Jeonnam will inevitably be reduced to a 'merely nominal integration' without substantial authority or driving force," adding, "This not only turns a blind eye to the expectations and aspirations of the region, but also runs counter to the current administration's policy direction of five mega-regions and three special zones, decentralization, and balanced development."

Han Sangwon, Chairman of the Gwangju Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said, "For the successful administrative integration of Gwangju and Jeonnam, government-wide coordination and responsible decisions that go beyond the judgments of individual central ministries are necessary," and added, "We hope the government will demonstrate a strong and unequivocal policy commitment so that the administrative integration can be pursued without wavering within the broader framework of balanced national development."

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