Jeonnam Announces Task Force... Gwangju Proposes "Let's Meet Even Today"
Kim Youngrok Considers "Incentives and Special Legislation"... Integration Talks Restart
Kang Gijeong: "Time to Move Beyond Functional Integration and Review Administrative Procedures"
The discussion on administrative integration between Gwangju and Jeonnam is resurfacing. As Jeonnam Province officially announced the formation of an "Administrative Integration Promotion Task Force," Gwangju Mayor Kang Gijeong proposed a joint task force, stating, "Let's meet and begin discussions as soon as today." On the same day, Jeonnam Governor Kim Youngrok mentioned the possibility of government incentives and special legislation, saying, "Let's begin full-fledged discussions on integration for a major revival in the AI and energy era." With both leaders expressing their positions, the conversation, which had previously stalled at the stage of functional integration, is now showing signs of moving toward a review of administrative integration procedures.
On the 30th, in the briefing room at Gwangju City Hall, Mayor Kang Gijeong said, "Since Governor Kim Youngrok has mentioned forming a 'Gwangju-Jeonnam Administrative Integration Promotion Task Force,' there is no reason for Gwangju to hesitate," adding, "Let's form a joint promotion task force and immediately begin discussing the procedures. I am willing to meet even tonight." He continued, "Administrative integration is a difficult task that requires mutual trust, exchange, and shared achievements. We have been preparing the foundation for a metropolitan alliance connecting industries, transportation, and talent, and now is the time to move from functional integration to administrative integration."
Mayor Kang pointed out the administrative limitations encountered in attracting the National AI Data Center, semiconductor specialized complexes, the Gwangju-Naju metropolitan railway, and artificial sun research facilities, stating, "We have confirmed the limits of responding independently. There are many tasks, such as the RE100 industrial complex and the joint civil-military airport, for which the city and province must share responsibility." Regarding the method of selecting the head of the integrated entity, he said, "Citizens are not concerned about who the head will be, but rather how Gwangju and Jeonnam can prosper together. The issue of leadership should be discussed at the final stage."
On the same day, at the last policy meeting of the year for provincial departments held in the Seo Jae-pil Room at the provincial government office, Governor Kim Youngrok presented integration discussions as a task for the new year. Governor Kim said, "We need to analyze the work reports of central government ministries to secure more projects and discover new projects for Jeonnam in 2026. Let's prepare for a new year in which Gwangju and Jeonnam will achieve a great revival in the AI and energy era." He also noted, "If the government offers incentives for integration and the conditions are right, we could proceed directly to a full-scale integration without going through the special autonomous province stage."
Governor Kim referred to the suspension of discussions in 2021 due to opposition and lack of momentum, saying, "This time is different. There is a possibility of enacting a special law in early March, and we can gain much more through integration. The gap between integrated and non-integrated cities and provinces will widen." The work report included: ▲ Special status and organizational privileges equivalent to Seoul Metropolitan City ▲ Additional allocation of local allocation and consumption taxes ▲ Priority relocation of public institutions ▲ Gradual expansion of special metropolitan and local special accounts ▲ Designation of regional growth engines ▲ Promotion of national industrial complexes, AI data centers, and RE100-based power industries.
Governor Kim stated, "Gwangju has strong human resources and technological capabilities, while Jeonnam is rich in renewable energy. We must move beyond the artificially divided 40 years and cooperate organically," instructing the establishment of a Gwangju-Jeonnam Administrative Integration Promotion Task Force, a review of previous research reports, and verification of cases from other metropolitan governments. He also called for the development of new work that delivers tangible results to residents, the attraction of the AX project, plans for the relocation of the military airport, and strengthening of quarantine and safety management.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
