Honam Economic Alliance Centered on Jeonnam, Gwangju, and Jeonbuk at the Starting Line

Great Innovation Honam Forum Successfully Held on the 23rd
Joint Response for Building a Mega City
United Effort to Host the 2036 Jeonju Summer Olympics
Kim Yungrok: "Starting Point for Honam's Prosperity and Innovation"
Kim Kwanyoung: "Solidarity Centered on Honam Is Essential"
Kang Gijung: "Coexistence Is Urgent Amid Local Extinction Crisis"

Jeollanam-do Governor Youngrok Kim is explaining the value of solidarity among Gwangju, Jeonnam, and Jeonbuk and the direction to move forward at the Great Innovation Honam Forum held at Naju Comprehensive Sports Park on the 23rd. Photo by Wookwan Kim and Jinseok Shim

Jeollanam-do, Gwangju Metropolitan City, and Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province have come together and pledged to move forward as an economic community through a regional alliance centered on Honam.

On the 23rd, Jeollanam-do, Gwangju Metropolitan City, and Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province held the 'Great Innovation Honam Forum' at Naju Sports Park to wish for the successful bid for the 2036 Jeonju Summer Olympics and to strengthen the Honam Mega City Economic Alliance.

The event was attended by Kim Yungrok, Governor of Jeollanam-do, Kang Gijung, Mayor of Gwangju Metropolitan City, Kim Kwanyoung, Governor of Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province, as well as National Assembly members Park Jie-won, Shin Jung-hoon, Lee Gae-ho, Shin Sujeong, Chairperson of Gwangju City Council, Jang Seil, Mayor of Yeonggwang County, and about 10,000 local residents and heads of some cities and counties in Jeollanam-do.

During the forum, there was a consensus that Gwangju, Jeonnam, and Jeonbuk should unite as one to pursue the overall growth and development of Honam. In particular, the necessity of establishing an economic alliance, attracting the 2036 Jeonbuk Summer Olympics, and the need for regional solidarity were highlighted.

Hong Younggi, Director of the Honam Studies Promotion Institute, delivered the keynote presentation under the theme of "With the Spirit of Justice and Reform of Honam," explaining the identity of Honam, the modern significance of the Honam spirit, and presenting the future tasks that Honam must bear.

Following this, Kim Kwanyoung, Governor of Jeonbuk, gave a keynote speech on the topic of Great Innovation in Jeonbuk and Honam, Kang Gijung, Mayor of Gwangju, on Great Innovation in Gwangju and Honam, and Kim Yungrok, Governor of Jeonnam, on Great Innovation in Jeonnam and Honam.

Kim Kwanyoung, Governor of Jeonbuk, emphasized, "Looking back at the time, the Donghak Peasant Movement likely connected the ancestors of everyone present here. About 300,000 people suffered during the Donghak Peasant Movement, and all of them were devoted to the nation."

He continued, "We, who have inherited the DNA of Honam people, must stand at the forefront of innovation. In the recent Olympic bid, Jeonbuk was finally selected over Seoul. Despite external assessments that it would be disadvantageous, Jeonbuk won by an overwhelming margin of 49 to 11."

He further explained, "We are considering how to achieve the 'sustainability,' 'cost efficiency,' and 'social solidarity' emphasized by the IOC, and we have already found the answers. Gwangju has previously hosted the World Swimming Championships successfully and will soon host the Archery World Championships. Daegu has experience hosting the Athletics World Championships. If these facilities are used for the Olympics, costs will be reduced and efficiency maximized. However, all of this is only possible if there is solidarity among local cities."

He added, "Honam will take the lead in further solidifying this regional alliance."

Kim Yungrok, Governor of Jeonnam, stated, "The very fact that the three local governments of Honam have come together to promise an economic community is significant. Honam politics has stagnated since President Kim Dae-jung. Now is the time to stand at the center again. I hope we can make a fresh start with the mindset that Honam is indispensable."

He continued, "I will work to resolve the issues of relocating civilian and military airports as soon as possible. Attracting the AI Super Cluster to Jeonnam is not just a regional matter but is also linked to the national status. The three regions of Gwangju, Jeonnam, and Jeonbuk will cooperate as an economic alliance to attract the AI Super Cluster."

Kang Gijung, Mayor of Gwangju, said, "The population issue is currently serious. Universities are closing, and there is talk of local extinction. Ultimately, jobs and tourism are the only way forward. Gwangju, Jeonnam, and Jeonbuk must cooperate to find a breakthrough. This is why the stalled issue of airport relocation must be resolved."

Finally, he emphasized, "Let us bring the AI infrastructure that will be responsible for Korea's future to Honam and join forces in developing the renewable energy industry to move toward greater development for Honam."