Prime Minister Minseok Kim Steps Up for Honam: "All Efforts on Stable Launch of Jeonnam-Gwangju Unified City"

Preparatory Meeting for the Launch of the Jeonnam Gwangju Unified Special City

Prime Minister Minseok Kim stated on April 21, "The government and the two local governments of Jeonnam and Gwangju must thoroughly review and supplement matters related to the unification, focusing all institutional capabilities to ensure the stable launch of the Unified Special City."

Prime Minister Minseok Kim is speaking at the meeting to check the preparations for the launch of the Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City held at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul on April 21, 2026. Photo by Jo Yongjun

Chairing a meeting to review preparations for the launch of the Jeonnam Gwangju Unified Special City at the Seoul Government Complex this morning, Prime Minister Kim emphasized, "With the local elections imminent, we must complete the necessary institutional arrangements without delay and push forward swiftly to minimize administrative gaps and confusion."

With the 9th nationwide simultaneous local elections scheduled for June 3, the integration of Gwangju and Jeonnam has become a focal point of interest both within and outside the political sphere. Prime Minister Kim has taken a direct role to ensure thorough preparations for the administrative integration.

Regarding ongoing disputes over issues such as finance and the transfer of authority ahead of the Jeonnam-Gwangju unification, Prime Minister Kim stated, "The two local governments must work closely together as a single team, transcending regional interests. They must also swiftly and systematically resolve key issues necessary for the launch, including the reallocation of organizations and authority."

Prime Minister Kim specifically mentioned the 2026 Yeosu World Island Expo, set to open in September, saying, "It will be the first major event held in the region following the unification of Jeonnam and Gwangju," and added, "Given the high expectations both internally and externally, it will serve as a litmus test for the capabilities of the unified city." Having visited the site last week, Prime Minister Kim plans to return to Yeosu this week to check on the preparations.

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