Assemblywoman Mun Geum-ju Introduces 'Special Act to Overcome the Crisis of Local Extinction' as Lead Sponsor

Joint First Bill with Full Participation of Jeonnam Region National Assembly Members

Assemblyman Moon Geum-ju (The Democratic Party of Korea, Goheung·Boseong·Jangheung·Gangjin) on the 11th took the lead in proposing the "Special Act on the Establishment of Jeonnam Special Self-Governing Province to Overcome the Crisis of Local Extinction (Jeonnam Special Self-Governing Province Special Act)." The Jeonnam Special Self-Governing Province Special Act is the joint No. 1 bill with the participation of all 22nd National Assembly members from the Jeonnam region.

Jeonnam is experiencing a serious crisis of local extinction as it is the region with the highest population decline nationwide (16 cities and counties) and the highest aging rate in the country (26.5%).

As a countermeasure, Assemblyman Moon stated the purpose of proposing the bill that population revitalization policies based on "people-industry-space" should be systematically promoted through the establishment of Jeonnam Special Self-Governing Province.

This law mainly proposes a pioneering and independent local autonomy model based on Jeonnam's comparative advantages in energy, tourism, agriculture and fisheries, and advanced industries.

Through the special act, the plan is to receive special exceptions necessary for boosting Jeonnam's population vitality and expanding regional growth engines, and to promote Jeonnam's independent regional development policies.

The special exception provisions sought in the Special Self-Governing Province Special Act proposed by Assemblyman Moon include ▲transfer of authority to establish and change social security systems related to low birthrate response policies ▲issuance of visas (metropolitan visas) for foreigners residing in the province ▲designation of rural vitality promotion zones ▲permission for renewable energy power generation projects such as offshore wind power ▲designation of renewable energy cluster complexes (40MW or more) ▲designation of investment promotion districts for large-scale investment attraction ▲transfer of authority for integrated management of environmental pollution facilities ▲transfer of authority for designation, cancellation, and management planning of development restriction zones ▲creation and support of Muan Airport and Gwangyang Port international logistics special zones.

Through these customized special exceptions, Jeonnam intends to overcome the crisis of local extinction and accelerate the creation of new growth engines.

Assemblyman Moon said, "I expect that the establishment of Jeonnam Special Self-Governing Province will promote regional development in Jeollanam-do and seek solutions to the crisis of local extinction," adding, "We will promptly pass the special act to overcome the crisis of local extinction and open an era of balanced regional development."