Three Cities in Gwangyang Bay Area Launch Joint Action to Overcome Economic Crisis

Yeosu, Suncheon, and Gwangyang Declare Joint Response to Industrial Crisis

Gwangyang City, South Jeolla Province, announced on April 30 that the Yeosu-Suncheon-Gwangyang Administrative Council has launched joint actions to overcome the crisis facing the key industries of the Gwangyang Bay Area.

The Yeosu-Suncheon-Gwangyang Administrative Council officially announced joint response measures for the three cities to overcome the crisis in regional industries such as steel and petrochemicals through a joint declaration for overcoming the economic crisis and achieving sustainable development in the Gwangyang Bay Area, held that morning at the Citizens' Hall of Gwangyang City Hall.

From the left, Nogwan Kyu, Mayor of Suncheon; Jeong Gi Myung, Mayor of Yeosu; Jeong In Hwa, Mayor of Gwangyang.

The event was attended by Jeong Inhwa, Mayor of Gwangyang; Jeong Gimyeong, Mayor of Yeosu; Nogwan Kyu, Mayor of Suncheon; as well as about 50 officials from the three cities.

This declaration represents the three cities' commitment to establish a joint response system to the increasingly severe industrial crisis centered around the Gwangyang Bay Area. It is regarded as the starting point for comprehensive cooperation in areas such as industry, employment, transportation, and living conditions.

The joint declaration includes: ▲ establishing a joint response system for the industrial crisis in the Gwangyang Bay Area, such as designating Yeosu as a "preemptive industrial crisis response zone" and Gwangyang and Suncheon as "special industrial crisis response zones"; ▲ creating youth employment opportunities and improving conditions for local settlement; ▲ improving regulations and creating an investment-friendly environment by reflecting the opinions of local businesses; ▲ strengthening the connection of wide-area transportation networks and tourism and medical infrastructure, including linking railways, roads, and public transportation and expanding living SOC (social overhead capital).

In his greeting, Jeong Inhwa, Mayor of Gwangyang, emphasized, "Although the three cities have each made efforts to overcome the industrial crisis, it is now time to unite our voices and jointly respond to the central government."

He added, "This declaration is intended to make the economic crisis in the Gwangyang Bay Area more visible and to create an opportunity for the government, South Jeolla Province, and the three cities to respond together. The government must not take this issue lightly, and practical efforts such as designating industrial crisis zones are necessary."