Ha Byung-pil Acting Authority, Realizing 'Bu-Ul-Gyeong Megacity' and Balanced Development Together

Ha, Acting Governor, Attends 'Korea Regional Forum' Hosted by KNN at Busan BEXCO

Ha Byung-pil, Acting Governor of Gyeongsangnam-do, is attending the 'Korea Regional Forum' hosted by KNN at BEXCO in Busan on the 1st, discussing local decentralization and super-regional cooperation.
[Image source=Gyeongsangnam-do]

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Sang-hyun] Gyeongsangnam-do is accelerating the implementation of the new national balanced development strategy of super-regional cooperation in collaboration with Busan and Ulsan, while also seeking balanced development plans for Gyeongnam, including the western Gyeongnam area.

On the 1st, Ha Byeong-pil, Acting Governor of Gyeongsangnam-do, attended the 'Korea Regional Forum' hosted by KNN at BEXCO in Busan to discuss local decentralization and super-regional cooperation.

The forum, held under the theme 'Expectations and Proposals of Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongnam for Regional Decentralization,' was attended by Acting Governor Ha, Busan Mayor Park Hyung-joon, Ulsan Mayor Song Cheol-ho, Kim Soon-eun, Chairperson of the Autonomy and Decentralization Committee, as well as members of the National Assembly, businesspeople, and journalists.

In the first part of the event, survey results were presented based on responses from 2,400 citizens (800 each from Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongnam) regarding the tasks for the next government and key cooperation areas for the Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam mega city.

During the second part, a talk concert was held with Jeon Ho-hwan, Standing Commissioner of the Southeast Region Development Council, as the moderator. Kim Soon-eun, Chairperson of the Autonomy and Decentralization Committee, and the governors of Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongnam took turns asking and answering questions, discussing regional decentralization, super-regional cooperation, future growth industries for Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam, and new development axes.

At the event, Acting Governor Ha stated, "Regional decentralization must proceed beyond the existing local administrative system framework in the form of super-regional cooperation," presenting the direction for regional decentralization and emphasizing the government's need for prompt implementation.

Regarding balanced development within Gyeongsangnam-do, he said, "We must strengthen the ecosystem of regional industries by creating a space industry cluster linked to the potential and unique strengths of western Gyeongnam, fostering the biomedical industry, expanding digital content and ICT industries, and nurturing carbon-neutral industries." He added, "By establishing a wide-area transportation network in connection with these efforts, we will lay the foundation for the development of regional industries and ensure that western Gyeongnam becomes a key axis of economic cooperation and industrial development in Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongnam."

Furthermore, Acting Governor Ha discussed future development directions, stating, "To cultivate new growth engines not only in western Gyeongnam but also in Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongnam, we will focus on upgrading core industries and fostering advanced industries through eco-friendly smart manufacturing and shipbuilding, as well as establishing future automobile and space industry clusters."

Regarding Jinhae New Port, he said, "If the preliminary feasibility study for the first phase of nine berths, which began in June this year, passes within this year, we expect smooth progress starting with the basic survey service next year." He added, "The new port will be reborn as a tri-port connecting Gadeok New Airport and railways, serving as a forward base linking Eurasia and the Pacific."