Governors of Gangwon, Jeju, Sejong, and Jeonbuk Gather
Regular Meeting of the Special Self-Governing Provinces Administrative Council Held
On December 23, Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province (Governor Kim Jin-tae) announced that the governors of the four special self-governing provinces-Gangwon, Jeju, Sejong, and Jeonbuk-gathered at the Courtyard by Marriott Sejong to hold the second regular meeting of the Administrative Council of Special Self-Governing Provinces of the Republic of Korea (hereinafter referred to as the "Council").
On the 23rd, the governors of the four special self-governing provinces of Gangwon, Jeju, Sejong, and Jeonbuk gathered at Courtyard by Marriott Sejong to hold the second regular meeting of the Korea Special Self-Governing Provinces Administrative Council (hereinafter referred to as the "Council"). Provided by Gangwon Province
At this regular meeting, Kim Jin-tae, Governor of Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province, was nominated as the Chairperson of the Administrative Council of Special Self-Governing Provinces for the next year (2026).
Governor Kim stated, "The Gangwon Special Act was submitted to the National Assembly in September last year, but it has not even been reviewed yet. It is called the 'Five Poles and Three Specials,' yet incomprehensible things are happening. I hope that the four special self-governing provinces will unite and raise their voices together."
Governor Kim also expressed his frustration over the lack of review of the Gangwon Special Act during his welcoming remarks at the Local Decentralization Forum held in the afternoon. He urged Kim Kyung-soo, Chairman of the Committee for the Local Era, who attended the event, to convey to the National Assembly and the political community the need for the swift passage of the Gangwon Special Act.
This was the final meeting of the year, during which a total of four agenda items were discussed. The most significant issue was the adoption of a joint statement urging the passage of the third amendment to the Gangwon Special Act.
The joint statement adopted on this day was issued in response to the delayed review of the Gangwon Special Act, Jeonbuk Special Act, and Jeju Special Act. It emphasized the justification and urgency for the prompt amendment of these laws.
As the review of the Gangwon Special Act amendment has been delayed, residents of Gangwon Province have been expressing their concerns to the National Assembly and the political community since the end of November through media contributions, resolutions, and appeals from city and county councils.
Each special self-governing province stressed that, given the delay in the amendment of the special laws, these acts are the key drivers of regional growth and that the expectations of local residents are high. They strongly urged the National Assembly and the political community to provide bipartisan support for the legislation.
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