"Like North Korea," "Like a joke"... Flood of opposition to Gyeonggi Bukdo's 'Pyeonghanu-ri' name

Opposition Petition Gains Over 27,000 Participants in One Day
Surpasses 10,000 Signature Requirement, Kim Dong-yeon Likely to Respond

Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon is pushing for an administrative district reorganization that divides Gyeonggi Province into north and south, amid growing opposition to the new name for northern Gyeonggi, 'Pyeonghwanuri Special Self-Governing Province.'

On the morning of the 1st, a petition titled "Opposing Pyeonghwanuri Self-Governing Province" was posted on the Gyeonggi Citizen Petition website. As of 2:40 PM on the 2nd, one day later, about 27,000 people had participated. The petition response requirement is 10,000 signatures, and since this petition has more than twice that number, Governor Kim must respond personally.

The citizen who submitted the petition began by saying, "Is this division truly reflecting the residents' opinions?" and added, "The majority of my neighbors and I oppose the policy to separate northern Gyeonggi Province."

On the 1st, artist Seok Chang-woo revealed the new name "Pyeonghwanuri Special Self-Governing Province," which won the grand prize, at the public report meeting for the new name of the Northern Gyeonggi Special Self-Governing Province held at the Gyeonggi Northern Provincial Government Office in Uijeongbu, Gyeonggi Province. [Image source=Yonhap News]

They continued, "The name 'Pyeonghwanuri Special Self-Governing Province' itself is highly ideological, regressive, and sounds like a ridiculous name that would be satirized on a comedy show." They also pointed out that the division of Gyeonggi Province "seems to waste administrative power and taxes in an era of population decline, and the evidence that it will help the development of northern Gyeonggi is weak."

In particular, they emphasized, "More than 40% of northern Gyeonggi is restricted as military zones and green belts," and questioned, "What company would invest in the north? There is no blueprint for road expansion or national support, so if this happens, only the south will develop while the north becomes more underdeveloped."

On social networking services (SNS) and elsewhere, many Gyeonggi residents expressed dissatisfaction. There was also strong aversion to the name 'Pyeonghwanuri Special Self-Governing Province.' Harsh criticisms included comments such as, "If shortened, it becomes 'Pyeongnudo'?who would want to live in a place like that?", "It reminds me of North Korea's Pyeongan Province," and "Is the province's name a joke?"

Over 27,000 people participated in the petition against the division of Gyeonggi Bukdo in just one day.
[Image source=Gyeonggi Provincial Citizen Petition]

Earlier on the 1st, Gyeonggi Province held a 'Public Report Meeting on the New Name for Northern Gyeonggi Special Self-Governing Province' at the Pyeonghwanuri Hall in the Uijeongbu Northern Government Complex, announcing that the name 'Pyeonghwanuri Special Self-Governing Province' was selected through a national contest.

Governor Kim introduced, "The person who came up with the name 'Pyeonghwanuri' is Ms. Shin Jeong-im, a 91-year-old grandmother living in Daegu, whose hometown is Seosan, North Gyeongsang Province."

He added, "'Pyeonghwanuri' symbolizes the new future of northern Gyeonggi," and said, "Through the establishment of the Northern Gyeonggi Special Self-Governing Province, we will do our best to improve the quality of life for local residents, achieve balanced development, and leave a better environment for future generations."