Attended Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province Inauguration Ceremony... "Local Prosperity Leads to Better Livelihoods"
Jeollabuk-do Changes to 'Special Self-Governing Province' After 128 Years... Achievements in Regional Balanced Development
Yoon Fully Supports Agro-Bio Industry Zone, Bio Convergence Industry, Secondary Batteries, and More
President Yoon Suk-yeol stated on the 18th, "The region must thrive for people's livelihoods to improve and for our economy to make greater leaps," adding, "I will personally and meticulously oversee the remarkable development of Jeonbuk to ensure it leads to the success of the Republic of Korea."
On the same day, President Yoon attended the launch ceremony of Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province held at Moak Hall in the Jeonju Korean Sound Culture Hall, saying, "I will wholeheartedly support the challenge of Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province as it leaps forward as a 'Global Bioeconomy City' together with the people."
President Yoon Suk-yeol is delivering a congratulatory speech at the launch ceremony of Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province held at Moak Hall, Korean Sound Culture Hall, Deokjin-gu, Jeonju-si on the 18th. Photo by Yonhap News
Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province officially launched in accordance with the "Special Act on the Establishment of Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province," enacted in December 2022, aligned with the Yoon Suk-yeol administration’s national agenda to realize "a local era where anywhere in the Republic of Korea is a good place to live." This marks the transformation of Jeollabuk-do, which began in 1896 when Jeolla Province was divided into Jeollanam-do and Jeollabuk-do, into Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province after 128 years, legally recognizing its status as an independent jurisdiction. Jeonbuk became the fourth special metropolitan self-governing entity after Jeju, Sejong, and Gangwon.
A special self-governing province refers to a region guaranteed a high degree of autonomy under a related special law. It receives special privileges tailored to local conditions and characteristics and can autonomously decide policies. The most significant change is that it is granted a special and unique status defined by the special law, enabling administrative system reforms. Based on its status and privileges, it can establish a foundation to create regional growth engines and independently promote initiatives.
Government support for the launch of Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province has been consistent. Even after the enactment of the law, the central government and Jeonbuk worked together, and one year later, in December 2023, the National Assembly passed a full revision of the Jeonbuk Special Act, which includes special provisions in four areas: agriculture, environment, workforce, and finance. This is a tangible result of the Yoon administration’s "region-led" balanced development policy, where localities take the lead in development strategies with government support.
On this day, President Yoon also promised to personally and meticulously oversee Jeonbuk’s development. He emphasized, "The Jeonbuk Special Act contains promises made to Jeonbuk residents during my candidacy, such as the Eastern Tourism Belt and the establishment of an agri-food wellness platform," and stated, "We will fully support future growth industries including the 'Agro-Bio Industry Zone,' which will be a strong base for our country’s food sovereignty, as well as bio convergence industries, unmanned mobility industries, secondary battery industries, and the international K-pop school."
Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province also plans to accelerate the fostering of related industries. Based on 131 articles and 333 special provisions of the Jeonbuk Special Act, it will promote five core industries: agro-bio industry, cultural tourism industry, senior-friendly industrial complex, future advanced industries, and livelihood-specialized industries. Specifically, this includes fostering the agro-bio industry, establishing an international K-pop school, designating a secondary battery industry special zone, designating Jeonbuk-type industrial zones and special zones, designating mountain tourism promotion zones, creating a biomedical industry hub, and fostering nighttime tourism industries.
A presidential office official explained, "The launch of Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province is the greatest achievement in the government’s national agenda to decentralize central authority and promote balanced regional development," adding, "The government will spare no support at the national level to promote regional development and specialized industries."
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