87% of Gyeonggi Residents Support Establishment of Special Autonomous Province in Northern Gyeonggi

91% of Northern Residents and 83% of Southern Residents Agree to Installation
Briefing Session on the Future Vision and Tasks of Gyeonggi Bukbu Special Self-Governing Province Held

In a public opinion survey on provincial policies conducted by Gyeonggi Province, the tendency to support the necessity of establishing a Gyeonggi Northern Special Self-Governing Province became increasingly clear over time.

On the 2nd, the province held a 'Gyeonggi Northern Special Self-Governing Province Future Vision and Tasks Residents Briefing' at the Northern Government Complex of Gyeonggi Provincial Office and announced, "According to the survey results, 87% of Gyeonggi residents who participated in the public opinion survey, including 91% of northern residents and 83% of southern residents, agreed on the necessity of establishing the Gyeonggi Northern Special Self-Governing Province."

Gyeonggi Province held the 'Gyeonggi Northern Special Self-Governing Province Residents Briefing' on the 2nd at the Northern Government Complex.
[Photo by Gyeonggi Province]

According to the survey results announced by the province, the response rate for 'the establishment of the Gyeonggi Northern Special Self-Governing Province is necessary' increased from 64% in the first survey to 87% in the third survey.

In particular, southern residents showed a significant change, rising from 57% in the first survey to 83% in the third, while northern residents increased from 71% in the first survey to 91% in the third.

The reasons for the necessity of establishing the Gyeonggi Northern Special Self-Governing Province gained higher agreement rates as the deliberation process progressed.

The survey results showed ▲high growth opportunities and potential (1st survey 78% → 3rd survey 88%) ▲different living and economic zones between southern and northern Gyeonggi, which can enhance administrative efficiency and autonomy (1st survey 77% → 3rd survey 87%) ▲alleviation of metropolitan area overpopulation (1st survey 78% → 3rd survey 86%) as the main reasons.

Regarding reasons for the lack of necessity, the agreement rate decreased as understanding of the establishment increased.

The survey results indicated ▲some cities and counties designated or pursuing special city or county status may not be proactive about the establishment (1st survey 41% → 3rd survey 40%) ▲increased costs for facility installation, operation, and personnel at the provincial office, education office, and council (1st survey 42% → 3rd survey 36%) ▲no improvement in overlapping regulations (1st survey 39% → 3rd survey 31%) as reasons.

Regarding the suitability of the future vision and vision of the Gyeonggi Northern Special Self-Governing Province, the responses were in order of ▲Gyeonggi Northern Special Self-Governing Province as a new growth engine of South Korea realizing the development potential of northern Gyeonggi (1st survey 68% → 3rd survey 85%) ▲a model for mutual development within the metropolitan area and balanced regional development of the metropolitan area (1st survey 73% → 3rd survey 84%) ▲an international free peace city serving as an experimental ground for inter-Korean integration and a pivotal hub (1st survey 61% → 3rd survey 72%).

This survey was conducted three times with a resident participation group recruited considering gender, age, and region (equal numbers from northern and southern Gyeonggi) among residents aged 18 or older who have lived in Gyeonggi Province for more than one year.

The first survey was conducted without prior learning, the second after self-study using deliberation discussion materials, and the third survey involved expert presentations, Q&A, and group discussions held on December 17-18. A total of 290 people participated in the survey.

The executing organizations were Korea Research Corporation and the Conflict Resolution & Peace Center consortium, and to ensure objectivity, the survey was reviewed and advised by the 'Gyeonggi Province Deliberative Public Opinion Survey Research Advisory Committee.'

Lee Kang-hee, Gyeonggi Province Resident Communication Officer, said, "This is significant as it is the first time residents, experts, and policy stakeholders communicate about the Gyeonggi Northern Special Self-Governing Province, and the process of understanding changes in residents' opinions before and after deliberation is important for setting future policy directions."

Meanwhile, at the briefing, the 'Gyeonggi Northern Special Self-Governing Province Basic Plan and Vision & Development Strategy Project' kickoff report was also held.

Dr. Lee Jeong-hoon of the Gyeonggi Research Institute presented the project kickoff plan focusing on ▲the necessity and rationale for establishing the Gyeonggi Northern Special Self-Governing Province ▲legal grounds and legislative direction for establishing the special self-governing province ▲main contents of the basic plan for establishment ▲vision and strategy ▲mutual development between northern/southern Gyeonggi and non-metropolitan areas.

The province plans to complete the policy research project by February next year and will hold public hearings and discussion meetings by region, as well as organize and operate a public opinion committee.

Oh Hu-seok, Deputy Governor for Administration of Gyeonggi Province, said, "Establishing the Gyeonggi Northern Special Self-Governing Province requires much cooperation from the National Assembly, central government ministries, and non-metropolitan areas," adding, "The best way is voluntary participation by residents, and as this is the first step toward establishing the Gyeonggi Northern Special Self-Governing Province, I hope everyone will join together."