Jeonnam Governor Kim Young-rok: "Special Self-Governing Province Autonomy Expansion Should Be Generalized Nationwide"

Urging Securing National Funds, Stabilizing Rice Prices, and Thorough Preparation for Summer Natural Disasters

Kim Young-rok, Governor of Jeollanam-do, emphasized that “the establishment of Jeonnam Special Self-Governing Province to overcome the crisis of local extinction should proceed in a direction that expands practical local autonomy, overcoming ‘nominal local autonomy’ and generalizing it nationwide.”

Governor Kim stated this on the 24th during a policy meeting with department heads, saying, “Authority is too concentrated in the central government, and even the ‘Special Self-Governing Provinces’ implemented in some regions have limited authority.”

He continued, “It is not easy to push forward the Special Self-Governing Province with a sense of speed,” adding, “It may accelerate or slow down, but we should not be greedy and must proceed step by step with continuous perseverance.”

In particular, he stressed, “What is important is to persuasively present what will be done,” and expressed, “Jeonnam Special Self-Governing Province is being promoted to overcome the crisis of local extinction, and since it is not just for Jeonnam’s benefit, it must be realized in a way that properly secures the authority of local decentralization and local autonomy.”

He also urged efforts to secure national funding for 2025. Governor Kim said, “Considering that the budget is being finalized by each ministry, we must identify the confirmed items by ministries and make final efforts to secure funds,” adding, “Due to the government’s sound fiscal policy, securing national treasury funds is expected to be more difficult than ever, so please make even greater efforts to reflect new projects and secure ongoing projects.”

He also called for thorough responses to national public contest projects and focused management to ensure that preliminary feasibility studies and pre-evaluation projects pass without fail.

Regarding rice price stabilization, he said, “Due to the large stock of rice at the Nonghyup RPC, a continuous decline in rice prices is expected. Believing that if rice prices collapse, agricultural policy collapses, we have requested the government to isolate more than 150,000 tons from the market,” and urged, “Please work closely with local lawmakers to appeal at the National Assembly level and consult well with farmers’ organizations to prepare effective fundamental measures.”

He added, “Due to El Ni?o and rising sea levels, this summer’s heatwaves, wind and flood damage, heavy rain, and typhoons are expected to cause serious abnormal weather,” and said, “Let us strengthen on-site inspections by region and sector and establish preemptive measures so thoroughly that it may seem excessive, to protect the lives of residents and minimize property damage.”