Ulleung County, North Gyeongsang Province, attended a policy forum held at the National Assembly on the 24th to discuss the introduction of a ‘Special Autonomous Island County’ system.
Officials from Ulleung County, Sinan County, and Ongjin County, along with policy discussion participants, are holding a policy forum on the 24th to introduce special autonomous counties and are taking a commemorative photo. Photo by Kyungho Ahn
The forum, co-hosted by Ulleung, Sinan, and Ongjin counties along with Administrative and Security Committee Chairman Shin Jeonghun, was organized to share the main outcomes of the ‘Research on Developing an Island Autonomous Administration Model’ and to discuss institutional measures for the administrative and financial independence of island regions.
Since 2024, these three counties have agreed on the need to enhance practical administrative benefits for island residents and to develop their own models and autonomous systems tailored to the characteristics of islands. They have jointly pursued research for a new autonomous administration model.
The event was attended by Administrative and Security Committee Chairman Shin Jeonghun, National Assembly members Lee Sanghui, Seo Samseok, and Bae Junyoung, Sinan County Governor Park Woolyang, Ongjin County Governor Moon Kyungbok, and other related officials. The Local Autonomy Research Institute and the Korea Institute of Public Administration also participated as research institutions, engaging in in-depth discussions for the sustainable development of island regions.
From Ulleung County, over 40 local residents, including County Governor Nam Hankwon, the Ulleung County Council, the Village Head Association, local organizations, and resident journalists, participated in the event despite the long-distance travel, demonstrating strong interest and enthusiasm for island autonomous administration.
During the ensuing policy discussion, Choi Hwanyong, Senior Research Fellow at the Korea Legislation Research Institute, presented on the ‘Special Act on Island Autonomous Administration.’ Experts from Jeju National University, the National Assembly Research Service, Gangneung-Wonju National University, and the Korea Institute of Public Administration each shared their diverse perspectives. The panelists analyzed the current state of administrative operations in island regions and discussed measures to improve resident welfare.
Governor Nam Hankwon stated, “I hope that this forum will lead to practical institutional improvements for the sustainable development of not only Ulleung County but all island regions,” and added, “We will continue to work with Sinan County and Ongjin County to strengthen the autonomy of island regions through policy efforts.”
Ulleung County announced that it will continue to actively develop policies to improve the administrative environment of island areas in the future.
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