Gwangju, Jeonnam, and Jeonbuk to Establish Honam Economic Alliance

Daehyukshin Honam Forum to Be Launched in Naju on the 23rd
Kim Yungrok, Kang Gijung, Kim Kwanyoung Gather Together
Discussing Strategies for Honam's Future Development
Delivering Honam's Voice to the Political Arena

Daehyeok South Jeolla Forum Event Guide Poster.

The Daehyukshin Honam Forum (hereinafter referred to as the Forum) will hold its inaugural general meeting at 2 p.m. on the 23rd at the multipurpose gymnasium of Naju Sports Park.

The inaugural meeting will be attended by Kim Yungrok, Governor of Jeonnam, Kang Gijung, Mayor of Gwangju Metropolitan City, Kim Kwanyoung, Governor of Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province, as well as various figures from the Honam region, founding members, board members, and general members.

This is the first time that the three heads of local governments from the Honam region will come together to discuss the future of Honam.

The Forum began its preparations for establishment in February with the aim of uniting Gwangju, Jeonnam, and Jeonbuk to promote the growth and development of the entire Honam region.

There was also a sense of crisis that Honam, which lags behind not only the Seoul metropolitan area but also Yeongnam and Chungcheong in terms of population and economic scale, would find it difficult to overcome its past underdevelopment and decline.

As its top priority, the Forum selected active support for the establishment of the Honam Economic Alliance currently being pursued by Gwangju, Jeonnam, and Jeonbuk, as well as the bid to host the 2036 Summer Olympics.

Going forward, the Forum also plans to identify large-scale projects for the growth and development of the entire Honam region and serve as a platform for these local governments to deliver regional issues to the central government and political circles.

The inaugural meeting will begin with a welcoming speech by Song Hacheol, President of Mokpo National University and co-representative of the Forum, followed by congratulatory speeches from Park Jie-won, National Assembly member of the Democratic Party, Kim Taekyun, Chairman of Jeonnam Provincial Council, Kim Sung, Chairman of the Jeonnam Mayors and County Governors Association, Yang Kwangyong, Chairman of the Gwangju-Jeonnam Residents Association, and Choi Sunmo, Chairman of the National Honam Association. Hong Youngki, President of the Honam Studies Promotion Institute, will deliver a keynote presentation on the theme of "Justice and Reform, the Honam Spirit."

Subsequently, Kim Kwanyoung, Governor of Jeonbuk, will present on "Jeonbuk and the Great Innovation of Honam," Kang Gijung, Mayor, will present on "Gwangju and the Great Innovation of Honam," and Kim Yungrok, Governor, will present on "Jeonnam and the Great Innovation of Honam."

In the future, the Forum will strive to identify large-scale projects that can drive Honam's advancement, incorporate them into government plans, and pursue various initiatives such as job creation strategies and economic revitalization plans for the region.

The Forum also plans to establish its status as a true Honam platform by forming an executive board with co-representatives, advisors, and advisory committee members recommended by Gwangju and Jeonbuk.

Meanwhile, the Forum's founding members will hold a general meeting at 1:20 p.m. on the 23rd to approve co-representatives and the Forum's articles of association. Following the founding members' meeting and the inaugural general meeting, the Forum will begin the process of establishing itself as a legal entity.

The Forum's co-representatives are Song Hacheol, President of Mokpo National University; Park Kiyoung, Honorary Professor at Suncheon National University; and Kim Byungwon, former President of the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation. Advisors include Kwon Nokap, Standing Advisor of the Democratic Party; Baek Haksoon, Director of the Kim Daejung Academy; Choi Inki, former Minister; Noh Jinyoung, former Chairman of Gwangju University; Park Minseo, former President of Mokpo National University; Hwang Geumyoung, Chairman; Cho Youngtaek, former National Assembly member; Lee Wansik, Chairman of Jeonnam Provincial Council; Choi Il, former President of Mokpo National University; Bae Kwangun, CEO; Cho Bohun, former Vice Governor of Jeonnam; Lee Minwon, former Chairman of the National Balanced Development Committee; Han Sangwon, Chairman of the Gwangju Chamber of Commerce and Industry; and Kim Sangpung, Gwangju-Jeonnam Bureau Chief of News1.

Advisory committee members include Yang Kwangyong, Chairman of the Gwangju-Jeonnam Residents Association; Kang Yunseong, former Chairman of the Association; Choi Daegyu, former Chairman of the Association; Kim Pojung, Chairman of the Gyeonggi Honam Association; Lee Hokyun, President of Mokpo Science University; Sung Haeseok, former Jeonnam Provincial Assembly member; Kim Changhun, Director; Yoo Kyungsik, Director; Choi Sunmo, Chairman of the National Honam Association; Yoon Kyungsik, Chairman; Kim Judong, Chairman; Yang Dongjo, former Director; and Lee Kidong, former Yeosu City Council member.

After the keynote presentation and addresses at the Forum, there will also be a performance calling for a prompt ruling by the Constitutional Court.