Mayor Kang Kijeong Calls for Constitutional Reform for Local Autonomy and Abolition of Preliminary Feasibility Studies for Non-Capital Regions

Yeonghonam City and Province Governors Cooperation Meeting Held in Changwon on May 1
Joint Statement by Eight Leaders: "Reflect 16 Key Issues in Presidential Election Pledges"
Proposals Include Relocation of Public Institutions and Raising Local Allocation Tax Rate

Gwangju Mayor Kang Kijeong is attending the 19th Yeonghonam City and Province Governors Cooperation Meeting held at Changwon Convention Center in Gyeongnam on the afternoon of the 1st, posing for a commemorative photo. Photo by Gwangju City

Gwangju Mayor Kang Kijeong attended the 19th Yeonghonam City and Province Governors Cooperation Meeting held at Changwon Convention Center on May 1, and proposed, "Let Yeonghonam unite to achieve constitutional reform for local autonomy and the abolition of the preliminary feasibility study system for non-capital regions." Mayor Kang also suggested the promotion of the second relocation of public institutions from the capital area and the decentralized placement of government agencies to the regions, aiming to achieve balanced national development.

This cooperation meeting was organized to share the achievements of the Yeonghonam City and Province Governors Cooperation Meetings over the past three years and to discuss future directions for collaboration. In particular, measures to reflect joint projects between Yeonghonam in the pledges for the 21st presidential election were also discussed.

In addition to Mayor Kang, the meeting was attended by Jeonnam Governor Kim Yeongrok, Gyeongnam Governor Park Wansu, Busan Mayor Park Hyeongjun, Daegu Acting Mayor Kim Jeonggi, Ulsan Mayor Kim Dugyeom, Gyeongbuk Governor Lee Cheolwoo, and Jeonbuk Deputy Governor for Economic Affairs Kim Jonghun, as well as about 20 other officials including directors and bureau chiefs from the eight cities and provinces.

The cooperation meeting proceeded in the following order: a report on the achievements and future plans of the Yeonghonam Cooperation Meeting, the appointment of the next chairperson and discussion of cooperation and pending issues, adoption of a joint statement, and a press conference announcing the joint statement by the Yeonghonam city and province governors.

At the meeting, tangible achievements such as the inclusion of the Namhaean Tourism Development Project in the national plan and the construction of the Yeosu-Namhae Undersea Tunnel were introduced. It was also reported that, among the 54 joint proposals for legal and institutional improvements and regional balanced development over the past three years, 21 have been reflected in national plans or have seen project implementation.

After the meeting, the governors issued a joint statement. The Yeonghonam city and province governors pointed out, "More than half of the total population is concentrated in the capital area, resulting in various side effects due to overpopulation," and added, "Non-capital regions are experiencing a continuous outflow of population, and some areas are even facing the risk of extinction."

They went on to emphasize, "The second relocation of public institutions from the capital area must be promoted without delay," and "Through the decentralized relocation of certain government agencies, taking into account the unique characteristics and industrial bases of each region, we must create conditions for the regions to lead the sustainable development of the Republic of Korea."

They called for constitutional reform for local autonomy and the establishment of an upper house representing the regions, an increase in the local allocation tax rate, an end to extreme confrontation between political parties and the realization of national unity, and the abolition of the preliminary feasibility study system for non-capital regions. They also requested the transfer of authority to attract large-scale investments, the delegation of regional development authority for areas such as greenbelt zones and agricultural promotion districts, and the inclusion of 16 regional cooperation and local agenda items in presidential election pledges.

Meanwhile, at the cooperation meeting, Jeonnam Governor Kim Yeongrok was appointed as the next chairperson. Yeonghonam is currently conducting a joint economic community study to develop strategies and tasks for mutual development, and plans to further strengthen Yeonghonam cooperation through this initiative.