[News Terms] Jeonbuk Starts Anew as a 'Special Self-Governing Province' After 128 Years

'Special Self-Governing Province' is a provincial-level administrative district guaranteed a high degree of autonomy under a special law. It is granted various special privileges from the central government that suit regional conditions and characteristics, allowing it to autonomously decide policies and operate provincial administration with authority. It has the advantage of rapid project implementation and easier access to national financial support. It is a region equipped with a system capable of independent development, possessing autonomous police system implementation, expanded educational autonomy, autonomous legislative power, and autonomous financial authority.

In South Korea, among the 17 metropolitan local governments, there are three Special Self-Governing Provinces?Jeju Special Self-Governing Province (since July 1, 2006), Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province (since June 11, 2023), and Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province (since January 18, 2024)?and one Special Self-Governing City, Sejong Special Self-Governing City (since July 1, 2012).

On the 17th, the eve event celebrating the launch of Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province was held at the outdoor plaza of Jeonbuk Provincial Office, where Governor Kim Kwan-young (fifth from the left) conducted a lighting ceremony with guests, wishing for the successful launch of the Special Self-Governing Province.
[Photo by Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province]

In the case of Jeju Special Self-Governing Province, the English name is written as 'Jeju Special Self-Governing Province,' while Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province and Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province are written as 'Gangwon State' and 'Jeonbuk State,' respectively. As can be inferred from the English names, Jeju, the first Special Self-Governing Province, translated the term literally, but Gangwon and Jeonbuk included in their names the intention to establish autonomy and independence equivalent to a U.S. 'state.'

The background of the launch of the Special Self-Governing City can be referenced from the launch of Jeju Special Self-Governing Province. Until 1946, Jeju Island belonged to Jeollanam-do, but due to its geographical characteristics and being 90 km away from Jeollanam-do on the Korean Peninsula, the U.S. military government at the time separated it as a distinct region. Even in the 2000s, it was practically impossible for Jeju to become a metropolitan city, and due to its small population and distance from the mainland, Jeju Special Self-Governing Province, a new concept of metropolitan local government guaranteeing a high degree of local autonomy, was launched on July 1, 2006, under the revised Local Autonomy Act.

The four basic local governments?Jeju City, Bukjeju County, Seogwipo City, and Namjeju County?were reorganized into one Jeju Special Self-Governing Province, eliminating Namjeju County, Bukjeju County, and other towns and townships, and only two administrative cities, Jeju City and Seogwipo City, where the governor appoints the mayor, operate. Therefore, city and county councils disappeared, leaving only the provincial council.

However, Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province and Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province decided to maintain the city and county basic local governments, so city and county councils continue to exist, and mayors and county heads are elected by residents' votes.

A common feature of regions where Special Self-Governing Provinces have been established and operated is the absence of a metropolitan city. In other words, due to a lack of population and other factors, there is no metropolitan large city that serves as a regional development axis, and since growth has lagged, special support is provided to allow them to grow independently. On the other hand, if pursued for political purposes without proper preparation for independence, it can rather be detrimental.

It is a matter of whether, upon reaching adulthood, one will continue to live in the same house with support from parents (government) but with a different household head (local autonomy), or become fully independent and grow by managing one's own livelihood (Special Self-Governing Province). It is similar to a situation where parents provide special funds to a smaller, weaker child among siblings to become independent and live well.

So far, all Special Self-Governing Provinces in South Korea have become independent by their own will. Not all applications for Special Self-Governing Province status are approved. The government is promoting a reorganization of the country into five mega-cities (Seoul·Incheon·Gyeonggi, Busan·Ulsan·Gyeongnam, Daegu·Gyeongbuk, Daejeon·Sejong·Chungnam·Chungbuk, Gwangju·Jeonnam) and three Special Self-Governing Provinces (Jeju, Gangwon, Jeonbuk). The rationale for approving Special Self-Governing Provinces is to grant high autonomy to Gangwon and Jeonbuk, which were excluded from mega-city targets, to activate development.

In the northern Gyeonggi region, which is aiming for Gyeonggi Northern Special Self-Governing Province while promoting division, and Chungbuk, which is considering launching a Special Self-Governing Province due to the absence of a metropolitan city within the province and its proximity to Daejeon Metropolitan City, the possibility of passing government review is considered lower compared to Gangwon and Jeonbuk.

Also, while Jeju Special Self-Governing Province is evaluated as showing some results, Gangwon is still too early for evaluation, and the lack of positive assessments is a factor causing the government to hesitate in establishing additional Special Self-Governing Provinces.

Jeonbuk Province put on a new name tag, 'Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province,' starting from midnight on the 18th. It is a new start after 128 years since Jeolla Province was divided into Jeollanam-do and Jeollabuk-do in 1896. Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province held its inauguration ceremony at 11 a.m. that day, announcing the departure of the Special Self-Governing Province. Kim Kwan-young, governor of Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province, expressed his thoughts, saying, "We will practically change provincial administration so that residents can clearly feel the benefits of the Special Self-Governing Province."