Gyeongnam Province Discusses Metropolitan Area Development Direction: "The Solution is the Dongnam Region Mega City"

Professor Ma Gang-rae Emphasizes Strengthening Self-Sufficiency Through Building a Metropolitan Industrial Ecosystem
Governor Kim Kyung-soo, "Difficult to Solve Gyeongnam's Future with Gyeongnam's Power Alone... Ultimately, the Solution is the Dongnam

On the 28th, Professor Ma Gang-rae of Chung-Ang University is giving a lecture at the Bukmorning Special Lecture in Gyeongnam Province. (Photo by Gyeongnam Province)

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kang Sharon] On the morning of the 28th, Gyeongnam Province invited Professor Ma Gang-rae of Chung-Ang University to hold the 3rd Buk Morning Special Lecture on the theme of ‘Development Direction of Metropolitan Areas for Resolving National Land Imbalance.’

The special lecture was conducted in compliance with quarantine rules. Governor Kim Kyung-soo, the Deputy Governors for Administration and Economy, senior officials, and hopeful employees attended, but the number of participants was limited to fewer than 50. Employees who could not attend watched via the internal broadcast.

In his lecture, Professor Ma pointed out the limitations of building an industrial ecosystem outside the metropolitan area, saying, “Currently, 14 cities and provinces excluding the metropolitan area have many similar and overlapping industries, making inter-regional linkage difficult. Also, the arbitrary selection of specialized industries based on simple regional preferences undermines the consistency of regional strategic industries.”

He continued, “These limitations are deepening the gap between the metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas,” and emphasized, “To heal this, it is necessary to build a metropolitan industrial ecosystem and strengthen self-sufficiency.”

Regarding ways to strengthen self-sufficiency through building an industrial ecosystem, he also advised ▲ a smart specialization strategy based on regional strengths, competitive advantages, and potential ▲ and the creation of an innovation ecosystem in non-metropolitan metropolitan hubs.

On the 28th, Governor Kim Kyung-soo is speaking at the North Morning Special Lecture in Gyeongnam Province. (Photo by Gyeongnam Province)

After the lecture, Governor Kim said, “Today’s lecture reaffirmed that we are moving into an era where it is difficult to solve Gyeongnam’s future with only Gyeongnam’s own strength. The platform effect of the metropolitan area is accelerating, and the non-metropolitan regions are just beginning to struggle for survival,” reminding of the seriousness of the metropolitan concentration issue.

He added, “In this situation, leaving regional development solely to local governments will not solve the problem,” and emphasized the importance of the government’s role by saying, “I have come to be convinced again that without bold and innovative support and investment from the central government, national balanced development will not easily succeed.”

He also expressed a strong will to promote the ‘Southeast Mega City’ by stating, “Ultimately, the solution is for the Southeast region to become another metropolitan area that can compete with the metropolitan area,” and “I also feel a responsibility to clearly show that such a development path is possible in non-metropolitan regions.”