Jeollanam-do Provincial Council Holds Extraordinary Session on First Supplementary Budget, Provincial Administration, and Educational Affairs

Chairperson Kim Taekyun Proposes Launch of Jeonnam-Gwangju "Four-Party Consultative Body"

Calls for Thorough Discussion on Key Issues Including Main Government Complex, Organization, and Personnel

Jeonnam Provincial Assembly Building

The Jeollanam-do Provincial Council convened its 397th extraordinary session on March 4, launching a 10-day schedule that will continue through March 13.

During this session, questions and answers regarding overall provincial administration and educational affairs will be conducted. The council also plans to review and process various ordinance bills closely related to residents' daily lives, as well as other agenda items, including the first supplementary budget proposal for Jeollanam-do for 2026.

In particular, during the two-day session on March 11 and 12 dedicated to questions about provincial and educational administration, the governor and superintendent of education will be questioned on major current issues, and policy alternatives will be proposed.

The 2026 first supplementary budget proposal will be introduced with a proposal explanation by Governor Kim Young-rok on the opening day of the session, followed by preliminary reviews by each standing committee and a comprehensive review by the Special Committee on Budget and Accounts, with the final approval scheduled for the fourth plenary session on March 13.

In his opening remarks, Chairperson Kim Taekyun stated, "On March 1, the 'Special Act for the Establishment of the Jeonnam-Gwangju Unified Metropolitan City' passed the National Assembly plenary session, marking a historic turning point as Jeonnam and Gwangju become a single administrative community for the first time in over 40 years."

However, he expressed regret that several key issues were not adequately addressed, such as designating the location of the main government building and unified assembly, establishing a new integrated national medical school, supporting basic income for rural and fishing communities, strengthening local legislative authority, and setting criteria for financial support. He emphasized the need for follow-up legislation and the formulation of complementary institutional measures.

Proposing the formation of a "four-party consultative body" involving the Jeollanam-do Provincial Council, the Gwangju Metropolitan Council, the Jeollanam-do Provincial Government, and the Gwangju Metropolitan Government to ensure the successful promotion of administrative integration, he stressed that major issues such as the location of the main government complex, organizational structure, personnel, and budget structure must be thoroughly discussed and determined.

Chairperson Kim also noted, "For the Jeonnam-Gwangju administrative integration to lead to sustainable regional development, it is vital to strengthen industrial competitiveness. Although the eastern region of Jeonnam accounts for about 62% of the province's gross regional product and is a key economic area, traditional industries such as steel and petrochemicals are facing difficulties."

He further called for "the restructuring of aging industrial bases, the introduction of eco-friendly and advanced technologies, and the cultivation of new industries such as secondary batteries, energy, artificial intelligence, and semiconductors to facilitate a shift toward a future industry-centered economic structure."

In conclusion, he stated, "This 397th extraordinary session is an important occasion to review provincial administration and educational affairs and to chart the future direction of Jeonnam at a time when the Jeonnam-Gwangju administrative integration is gaining momentum. The provincial council will also fulfill its responsibility by presenting effective policy alternatives and playing a committed role."

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