Kim Dong-yeon "If Gyeonggi Northern Special Self-Governing Province Referendum Fails, Independent Plan to Be Announced in September"

Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon is speaking at a press conference held at Dodamso in Suwon on the 14th.

Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon stated that if the government does not provide any results regarding the resident referendum for the promotion of the Gyeonggi Northern Special Autonomous Province by the end of this month, Gyeonggi Province will proceed independently. He added that the independent promotion plan would be announced as early as early or mid-September.

At a press briefing held on the 14th at the Dodamso in Suwon (former governor's residence), Governor Kim explained the background, saying, "The Gyeonggi Northern Special Autonomous Province is being promoted with the goal of developing the northern region and improving the quality of life for residents, focusing on three core projects: regulation, infrastructure expansion, and investment attraction. To this end, we proposed a resident referendum to the government."

He emphasized, "We have done everything possible for the Gyeonggi Northern Special Autonomous Province over the past two years. Now the ball is in the government's court. However, the government has not said anything for two years. Therefore, we continue to urge them and will keep striving for the passage of the special law."

Governor Kim added, "If there is no response from the government by the end of this month, we will first promote the three core projects?regulation, infrastructure expansion, and investment attraction?as a single package. There may be various approaches, and we will discuss this soon."

He also stated, "Other than the resident referendum, going through the approval of the provincial council or local councils would take too long. We are not considering that. As mentioned earlier, while urging the government, our idea is to push forward with our own policy package."

Governor Kim promised, "Considering that Gyeonggi Northern region has suffered from overlapping regulations for 70 years, the establishment and support of the autonomous province is just a matter of time. Some relief measures have already been proposed, and we will announce the independent promotion plan by early or mid-September."