Yoon Byung-tae, Mayor of Naju, "Opposes the Re-separation of Gwangju-Jeonnam Research Institute"

[Naju=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yukbong] Naju City in Jeollanam-do expressed strong regret regarding the controversy over the re-separation of the Gwangju-Jeonnam Research Institute triggered by the Gwangju and Jeonnam provincial councils, stating that it "retreats from the great spirit of agreement of the citizens of the city and province who wish for the win-win development of Gwangju and Jeonnam."

Yoon Byung-tae, Mayor of Naju [Photo by Naju]

On the 31st, the city issued a statement in the name of Mayor Yoon Byung-tae, officially opposing the re-separation of the research institute, calling it a "very regrettable and worrisome situation where numerous achievements and efforts could be wasted in an instant."

Mayor Yoon Byung-tae emphasized the significance of the institute's existence, saying, "The Gwangju-Jeonnam Research Institute is the result of the spirit of agreement achieved after many twists and turns between the two cities and provinces in 2015, and it is a symbolic icon to guarantee the sustainability of future win-win development, including the sharing of innovation city achievements."

The Gwangju-Jeonnam Research Institute, first launched in 1991, had been operated separately since 2007, but in 2015, then Jeonnam Governor Lee Nak-yeon and Gwangju Mayor Yoon Jang-hyun jointly agreed on integrated operation based on mutual cooperation between the two cities and provinces, leading to the current status.

Mayor Yoon particularly stressed, "The government is scheduled to announce the second basic plan for public institution relocation this year, making close solidarity and cooperation for win-win development between the city and province more urgent than ever."

He expressed concern that the repetitive and wasteful debate over the re-separation of the research institute would only cause regional conflicts and social confusion, and would never benefit the residents of the Gwangju-Jeonnam area.

Regarding whether to maintain or separate the Gwangju-Jeonnam Research Institute, he raised his voice that "the focus should be on the original purpose of establishment, which is win-win development, rather than political interests or administrative convenience."

He further proposed, "Rather than artificial separation, a productive discussion such as a public hearing to strengthen the functions and roles of the research institute should be conducted, and decisions should be made in a direction that can contribute to enhancing the competitiveness of the city and province."

Mayor Yoon said, "Compared to research institutes in other cities and provinces, the Gwangju-Jeonnam Research Institute, which lacks sufficient funding and research personnel, could be reduced to a simple service agency or even face threats to its organizational self-sustainability if separated."

The city stands firm on faithfully implementing the 2015 'Joint Agreement for the Integration of the Gwangju-Jeonnam Research Institute' and preserving the spirit of agreement for the future hundred years of Gwangju-Jeonnam and the win-win development of the city and province.

Mayor Yoon reinforced the argument for maintaining the institute, stating, "In 2016, with the consent of the city council on the shared property management plan, the site for the Gwangju-Jeonnam Research Institute building in Bitgaram Innovation City was secured long ago, and preparations are underway to contribute 5 billion KRW annually from this year as an innovation city development fund to share and spread innovation city achievements."

Additionally, he requested, "We hope that Gwangju City and Jeonnam Province will unite the voices of the citizens with a magnanimous decision to prevent the wasteful debate over the re-separation of the research institute, triggered by the city and provincial councils, from spreading further," and proposed, "We earnestly ask to join in the bold step to design the future 100 years of Honam by consolidating the capabilities for the win-win development of Gwangju and Jeonnam."

Naju=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yukbong baekok@asiae.co.kr