Park Wansu, Governor of Gyeongnam: "True Local Autonomy Requires Securing Fiscal Authority"

"Local governments must secure fiscal authority that allows them to independently decide on and take responsibility for their own projects."

Park Wansu, Governor of Gyeongnam Province, emphasized this point during a special discussion with provincial governors at the "30th Anniversary of Local Autonomy, Yeongnam Region Policy Forum" hosted by the Korea Council of Governors at the Changwon Convention Center (CECO) on October 1.

Governor Park stated, "Although it has been 30 years since local autonomy was introduced, it cannot be considered true autonomy if fiscal independence is not guaranteed."

He added, "Local autonomy without financial support is meaningless," and stressed, "Local governments must be granted the authority to autonomously choose their policies through the expansion of local allocation tax and institutional improvements."

Park Wansu, Governor of Gyeongnam Province, is speaking at the '30th Anniversary of Local Autonomy, Yeongnam Region Policy Forum' hosted by the Korea Association of Governors. Provided by Gyeongnam Province

Yoo Jeongbok, Mayor of Incheon and President of the Korea Council of Governors, Park Wansu, Governor of Gyeongnam Province, Park Hyungjoon, Mayor of Busan, and Kim Dookyum, Mayor of Ulsan, who also attended the event, collectively emphasized the need to transfer central government powers such as fiscal authority to local governments.

President Yoo commented, "Our society still remains entrenched in a centralized culture," and added, "For local autonomy to truly advance, a system of cooperation based on equality between the central and local governments must be established, and constitutional reform toward decentralization is necessary."

Park Hyungjoon, Mayor of Busan, stated, "Now, as we mark 30 years of local autonomy, bold reforms are needed," and emphasized, "Local governments can only become competitive if the administrative system and institutions break free from structures subordinate to the central government."

Kim Dookyum, Mayor of Ulsan, also remarked, "For local autonomy to take root, a complete transfer of authority from the central government is essential," and added, "True decentralization is only possible when local governments can decide on and implement policies tailored to the characteristics and needs of their regions."

The "30th Anniversary of Local Autonomy, Yeongnam Region Policy Forum" hosted by the Korea Council of Governors was held at the Changwon Convention Center (CECO) in Changwon, Gyeongnam. Provided by Gyeongnam Province

At this event, organized by the Korea Council of Governors to commemorate the 30th anniversary of local autonomy, a forum was held under the theme of "Sustainable Development and the Role of the Yeongnam Region." The forum was attended by the council president, governors of Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongnam, as well as about 100 local government officials from each region.

The participants shared perspectives on the direction of local autonomy and major issues facing the Yeongnam region, and discussed ways to enhance interregional cooperation.