Administrative Notice of the Agreement Draft Issued on October 2,
Official Launch Set for This Year
Joint Promotion of Industry, Transportation, and Tourism
"Honam Mega City" Initiative
"A Broad Consensus... A Practical Model for Korea's Balanced Development"
On August 27, the "Gwangju-Jeonnam Special Autonomous Metropolitan Union Promotion Ceremony" was held in the main conference room of Naju City Hall, Jeonnam. From the left in the photo are Gwang Ki-jung, Mayor of Gwangju; Kim Kyung-soo, Chairman of the Local Era Committee; and Kim Young-rok, Governor of Jeonnam. Photo provided by Gwangju City · Yonhap News Agency
On October 2, the Gwangju Metropolitan City and Jeollanam-do Provincial Governments announced the administrative notice of the "Gwangju-Jeonnam Special Metropolitan Union Agreement (Draft)," officially formalizing the establishment of a locally-led, super-regional cooperative system.
This administrative notice marks the first official step toward launching the Special Metropolitan Union. It aligns with the "Five Major Regions and Three Special Zones National Balanced Growth Strategy," which was finalized by the Local Era Committee on September 30. The two local governments emphasized the significance of their role as a leading "testbed" for national balanced development.
The draft agreement outlines the purpose, composition, operational structure, and financial system of the "Gwangju-Jeonnam Special Metropolitan Union." It responds to the government’s policy direction for balanced national development and specifies 10 key joint tasks in three major sectors that directly impact the lives of 3.2 million residents: super-regional industries, metropolitan transportation networks, and global tourism.
The 10 key joint tasks include: leading super-regional industries; fostering interconnected core industries; developing advanced bio-industries; establishing a super-regional research and development (R&D) innovation system; building super-regional transportation networks (roads, railways, and public transit); constructing and operating metropolitan railways; promoting local culture and supporting everyday cultural activities; and establishing a super-regional tourism system. Going forward, the two local governments will jointly work to secure national funding and improve relevant systems for these projects.
After collecting public feedback through various channels, the city and province plan to officially launch the Special Metropolitan Union within this year, following approval from their respective councils and the Ministry of the Interior and Safety.
After its launch, the union will work closely with the central government to actively pursue super-regional projects in sectors such as industry, transportation, and culture-initiatives that residents can directly experience. Through these efforts, Gwangju and Jeonnam aim to lead as a model for national balanced development and set a new standard for other local governments.
Kang Gijeong, Mayor of Gwangju, stated, "It is highly meaningful that Gwangju and Jeonnam have reached a broad consensus in line with the government's strategy for the Local Era, becoming the first special local government implementation model under the current administration. With the conviction that balanced national development is the future of Korea, we will establish a new cooperative governance system led by local regions and supported by the central government."
Kim Youngrok, Governor of Jeonnam, said, "As the driving force for Korea’s future development, Honam will work together with the central government to successfully lead the Gwangju-Jeonnam Special Metropolitan Union. Going forward, Gwangju and Jeonnam will speak with one voice and play a pivotal role as the cornerstone for mutual development in the Honam region and balanced national growth."
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