[Report] Gwangju and Jeonnam Reunite After 40 Years... Declaration of a "New Honam"

Special Local Government Declaration Ceremony Held at Naju City Hall
Mayor Kang Gijeong and Governor Kim Youngrok Join Hands
Chairman Kim Kyungsoo: "Government Support Promised"
First Step Toward Integration Since 1986 Separation
Future Possibility of Full Administrative Integration Discussed
Gwangju-Naju Metropolitan Railroad Chosen as First Joint Project

At 10:30 AM on the 27th, the "Gwangju-Jeonnam Special Local Government Promotion Ceremony" was held in the main conference room of Naju City Hall, attended by Gwangju Mayor Kang Gijeong, Jeonnam Governor Kim Youngrok, Gwangju City Council Chairperson Shin Sujeong, Jeonnam Provincial Council Chairperson Kim Taegyun, and Chairman Kim Kyungsu of the Local Era Committee. Photo by Shim Jinseok

After approximately 40 years since Gwangju Metropolitan City and Jeollanam-do were administratively separated, the two regions have decided to embark on a path toward reunification. They have pledged to move forward as "One Honam" by establishing a "Special Local Government," a special organization designed to address joint issues together.

At 10:30 AM on the 27th, in the main conference room of Naju City Hall, the "Gwangju-Jeonnam Special Local Government Promotion Ceremony" was held, attended by Gwangju Mayor Kang Gijeong, Jeonnam Governor Kim Youngrok, Gwangju City Council Chairperson Shin Sujeong, Jeonnam Provincial Council Chairperson Kim Taegyun, Chairman Kim Kyungsoo of the Local Era Committee, and about 70 officials from Gwangju and Jeonnam.

Kim Kyungsoo, who laid the initial foundation for the integration of the two metropolitan governments, remarked, "Gwangju and Jeonnam are facing a crisis, with an average of about 10,000 young people leaving each year. The core of this Gwangju-Jeonnam Special Metropolitan Alliance is to nurture talent by linking each region's strategic industries with education and to expand social infrastructure such as roads, thereby establishing Gwangju and Jeonnam as a single living sphere. We must become one team, not just survive individually. I will work to secure support from the central government," he said in his opening remarks.

Gwangju Mayor Kang Gijeong, Jeonnam Governor Kim Youngrok, and Naju Mayor Yoon Byungtae selected the "Gwangju-Naju Metropolitan Railroad Project" as the first joint task of the special local government on the 27th and signed a business agreement. Photo by Shim Jinseok

During the event, Gwangju Mayor Kang Gijeong and Jeonnam Governor Kim Youngrok focused on reaffirming the significance of the special local government declaration. In particular, they strongly expressed their determination to address the historic task of "administrative integration."

Mayor Kang Gijeong stated, "I am pleased to declare the special local government under the five-region (Seoul Capital Area, Chungcheong Area, Gwangju-Jeonnam Area, Daegu-Gyeongbuk Area, Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam Area) and three-special-area (Gangwon Area, Jeonbuk Area, Jeju Area) framework of the Lee Jaemyung administration. Today was made possible by Governor Kim Youngrok’s bold decision and Chairman Kim Kyungsoo’s broad vision."

He continued, "Honam was marginalized twice at major turning points in national economic policy: once during the industrialization of the 1960s and 1970s, and again during the development of research industries centered on semiconductors in the 1990s. As a result, the concentration of population and resources in the Seoul Capital Area accelerated, and Honam faced even greater difficulties."

He added, "The Lee Jaemyung administration is now materializing the five-region, three-special-area system. We must not miss this opportunity. We need to integrate functions in various fields such as transportation, industry, and economy, and seek a path toward future administrative integration."

Governor Kim Youngrok also emphasized, "Gwangju and Jeonnam are not just neighbors; they have always grown and suffered together, sharing the same roots. In the past, during the Joseon Dynasty, Honam fed the entire nation; during the Japanese colonial period, it led national resistance such as the Gwangju Student Movement; and in May 1980, it defended democracy in Korea."

He further stated, "Although Gwangju and Jeonnam were administratively separated in 1986, we have continued to share the same living sphere. The Lee Jaemyung administration has promised significant support for Honam through the five-region, three-special-area national policy. We must prepare a vessel to receive this support, and the Special Metropolitan Alliance will serve as that vessel."

Governor Kim concluded, "We will usher in a renaissance era for Gwangju and Jeonnam. In the long term, we may pursue administrative integration between the two regions. We will become a central axis in shaping Korea's future together."

According to the agreement signed that day, the two regions will establish a joint administrative system in line with the Lee Jaemyung administration's "five-region, three-special-area national balanced development strategy" to address the national challenges of deepening concentration in the Seoul Capital Area and the risk of local extinction.

They have agreed to establish a Special Local Government (tentatively named the "Gwangju-Jeonnam Special Metropolitan Alliance") and plan to form the "Gwangju-Jeonnam Joint Promotion Team" with the goal of launching the special local government by the end of this year.

Kim Kyungsoo, Chairman of the Local Era Committee, is explaining to reporters about the government's local city development plan directions after completing the "Gwangju-Jeonnam Special Local Autonomy Promotion Declaration Ceremony" event on the 27th. Photo by Shim Jinseok

The Joint Promotion Team will be responsible for preliminary preparations for establishing the Special Local Government, including its operation (organization, finance, annual work plans), identifying ultra-wide joint tasks and state-delegated affairs, setting up a council, and enacting regulations.

On this day, the two regions selected the "Gwangju-Naju Metropolitan Railroad Project" as their first joint task and signed a memorandum of understanding among the three local governments of Gwangju, Jeonnam, and Naju. They plan to finalize the route agreement by September and work closely together in joint efforts with the government and the National Assembly.

In particular, the three local governments plan to continue consultations with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport with the goal of including the metropolitan railroad in the "5th National Railroad Network Construction Plan" within this year, to ensure the rapid construction of the metropolitan railroad and sustainable development of the Honam region.