Kang Gijeong and Kim Youngrok Declare Gwangju-Jeonnam Administrative Integration... Immediate Action to Follow

Joint Declaration Announced at May 18th Democratic Cemetery on the Morning of January 2
Kang Gijeong: "Aiming to Elect Head of Integrated Local Government in June 3 Local Elections"
Kim Youngrok: "Will Convey Determination for Gwangju-Jeonnam Grand Integration to the President"
Lee Jaemyung: "Metropolitan Integration, a New Path for Region-Led Growth"

The city of Gwangju and Jeonnam Province have officially declared that they will immediately move forward with administrative district integration. On January 2, after paying respects at the National May 18th Democratic Cemetery in Buk-gu, Gwangju, Mayor Kang Gijeong of Gwangju and Governor Kim Youngrok of Jeonnam announced the "Joint Declaration for the Promotion of Grand Integration of Gwangju and Jeonnam" and stated that they would begin the procedures to launch the integrated local government.

On the 2nd, prominent figures from Gwangju and Jeonnam are holding hands and taking a commemorative photo in front of the Democracy Gate at the National May 18th Democratic Cemetery in Buk-gu, Gwangju. Photo by Song Bohyun

In the declaration, both the city and the province stated, "Before the spirits of May, who symbolize the democratization of Korea, we declare our intention to immediately pursue the integration of Gwangju and Jeonnam in order to usher in a new era of grand revival for both regions."

They went on to say, "We are at a historic turning point where we can leap forward as the central axis of the southern semiconductor belt and in the era of AI and energy transition," and added, "The Lee Jaemyung administration is planning bold incentives for the integrated city and province, such as granting a status and organizational privileges equivalent to those of Seoul Metropolitan City, providing additional allocation of local subsidies, and prioritizing the relocation of public institutions. Now is the perfect opportunity to move toward the grand integration of Gwangju and Jeonnam."

On the morning of the 2nd, at the National May 18th Democratic Cemetery in Unjeong-dong, Buk-gu, Gwangju, Mayor Kang Gijeong of Gwangju and Governor Kim Youngrok of Jeonnam took a commemorative photo after announcing the declaration of administrative integration between Gwangju and Jeonnam. Photo by Yonhap News

Both the city and the province agreed to do their utmost to secure bold financial and authority transfers and special privileges from the government in order to maximize the synergy effect of integration, and to jointly promote measures for regional development and the welfare of residents.

To this end, Gwangju City and Jeonnam Province will actively pursue the enactment of a special law for the establishment of an integrated local government, which will include the integration of administrative districts and tailored special privileges. They also pledged to ensure that the special law contains provisions that will allow the integrated local government to secure substantial authority and functions equivalent to those of a federal state through the transfer of national administrative and financial powers.

For working-level discussions on administrative district integration, a "Gwangju-Jeonnam Integration Promotion Council" (tentative name) will be established with equal representation from both the city and the province, and it will be operated under a four-person co-representative system, with the Vice Governor (Political Affairs) of Jeonnam Province and the Vice Mayor (Political Affairs) of Gwangju Metropolitan City serving as ex officio members. In addition, during the process of promoting the integrated local government, the opinions of the Gwangju City Council and the Jeonnam Provincial Council will be sought, and efforts will be made to build consensus among residents. Gwangju City and Jeonnam Province will finalize the integration plan after sufficiently gathering residents' opinions and will pursue integration as quickly as possible to achieve joint development for both regions.

After the announcement, Mayor Kang Gijeong stated, "This year, the first year of the Lee Jaemyung administration, is an important opportunity to promote the grand integration of Gwangju and Jeonnam," and emphasized, "Based on gathering the opinions of residents, we must move quickly so as not to miss this opportunity." He added, "If integration is not achieved before the June 3 local elections, the possibility may diminish significantly afterward," and said, "The election of the head of the integrated local government is the top priority for this local election."

Governor Kim Youngrok said, "This afternoon, I will attend the New Year's reception at the Blue House Guest House, where I will personally greet President Lee Jaemyung and convey my determination and commitment to the grand integration of Gwangju and Jeonnam," and added, "I will do my best to achieve meaningful results related to the integration of Gwangju and Jeonnam."

President Lee Jae-myung is delivering the 2026 New Year's address at the Blue House. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

Meanwhile, earlier, President Lee stated on social media, "Following Daejeon and Chungnam, the integration of metropolitan governments, which once seemed difficult, is gradually gaining momentum, now including Gwangju and Jeonnam," and added, "It seems that public opinion is coming together on the need to overcome the dominance of the Seoul metropolitan area and to open a new path for 'region-led growth.'" He also asked for citizens' opinions regarding the discussion of metropolitan government integration.