Democratic Party's Ulsan Mayoral Candidate Kim Sangwook: "Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam Ultra-wide Area Cooperation Council Must Be Formed"

"Pushing Forward as a Preliminary Step Toward Special Metropolitan City Integration"

On March 24, Assemblyman Kim Sangwook, who has been confirmed as the Democratic Party candidate for Ulsan mayor in the upcoming June 3 local elections, argued that a 'Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam Ultra-wide Area Cooperation Council' needs to be established as a preliminary step toward the integration of Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongnam into a special metropolitan city.

At a press conference held at the National Assembly Communication Office on the same day, Assemblyman Kim stated, "As a pre-integration measure, we can no longer delay the formation of a 'Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam Ultra-wide Area Cooperation Council' that will communicate directly with the central government and jointly secure large-scale national projects."

(Seoul=Yonhap News) Reporter Shin Hyunwoo = On March 24, Congressman Kim Sangwook, the Democratic Party candidate for Ulsan mayor in the June 3 local elections, called for the formation of the "Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam Ultra-Wide Area Cooperation Body" at the National Assembly Press Center. 2026.3.24 nowwego@yna.co.kr(End)

Assemblyman Kim pointed out, "Achieving a fully integrated metropolitan administration is an essential goal, but considering the physical procedures such as legal revisions and a resident referendum, it will take at least two to four years."

He emphasized, "We should not merely wait until administrative integration is completed; instead, we must immediately operate a cooperation council with practical authority to secure the interests of the Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam region."

Assemblyman Kim also noted, "Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongnam initially drew attention as Korea's first special regional alliance, but after discussions on the megacity were suspended, each region has essentially been forced to go its own way. Projects such as the 'Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam Hydrogen Pipeline Construction and Mobility Collaboration Project' or the 'Ultra-wide Area Logistics and Processing Industrial Complex linked to the development of the hinterland for the new Gadeokdo Airport' will only realize their full synergy if the three municipal governments unite and respond together."

He further expressed concern, saying, "Currently, we do not even have an official channel to discuss these major issues with the central government."

Meanwhile, the race for Ulsan mayor has been finalized as a three-way contest among Assemblyman Kim, the incumbent Ulsan mayor Kim Dukyum from the People Power Party, and former Ulsan Dong-gu district chief Kim Jonghun from the Progressive Party. Whether the Democratic Party and the Progressive Party will unify their candidacies is expected to be a major factor influencing the election outcome.

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