'After Daejeon and South Chungcheong, Gwangju and South Jeolla Next?'... President Lee: "Region-Led Growth Is the Will of the People" (Comprehensive)

President Lee Jaemyung Shares SNS Message on January 2
"Public Opinion Appears to Support Region-Led Growth"
Lawmakers from Gwangju and South Jeolla Invited to Luncheon at the Blue House

Yonhap News

On January 2, President Lee Jaemyung commented on the ongoing discussions regarding the integration of Gwangju and South Jeolla Province, describing it as “the will of the people.” As the June local elections approach, debates over regional integration appear to be gaining momentum.

On this day, President Lee posted on his social networking service (SNS) under the title “After Daejeon and South Chungcheong, Gwangju and South Jeolla next?” The post included a news article about Gwangju and South Jeolla Province discussing integration for the first time in 40 years since their separation.

President Lee stated, “The integration of metropolitan governments, which once seemed unlikely, is gradually gaining pace,” and emphasized, “It seems that public opinion is converging on the need to overcome the dominance of the Seoul metropolitan area and to open a new path for region-led growth.”

Kang Hoonshik, Chief of Staff to the President, also appeared on the YouTube channel “Kim Eo-jun’s News Factory” and said, “(Regional integration) is the right direction, and we should pursue it if we can,” adding, “It seems Gwangju and South Jeolla will declare their intention to integrate.”

Kang Gijung, Mayor of Gwangju, and Kim Youngrok, Governor of South Jeolla Province, have both expressed their intention to pursue integration ahead of the June local elections. At a press conference on December 30, Mayor Kang stated, “The President wants to give Honam a chance, and he is clearly sending a message to be ready to seize that opportunity.” Governor Kim also asserted, “Now is the optimal time for administrative integration between Gwangju and South Jeolla.”

President Lee is planning to personally hear the opinions of lawmakers from the Gwangju and South Jeolla regions in the near future. The Blue House stated, “President Lee plans to invite lawmakers from Gwangju and South Jeolla, including members of the Democratic Party, to the Blue House for a luncheon meeting,” adding, “We will announce the specific date as soon as it is confirmed.”

Meanwhile, the issue of administrative integration between Daejeon and South Chungcheong Province is also rapidly progressing. Discussions between the two regions began in November 2024, when Daejeon Mayor Lee Jangwoo and South Chungcheong Governor Kim Taeheum adopted a joint declaration. Although the Democratic Party initially opposed the idea, the discussions have accelerated since President Lee expressed a positive stance after taking office.

At a town hall meeting in South Chungcheong on December 5 last year, President Lee said, “As someone responsible for state affairs, I am considering whether Daejeon and South Chungcheong could serve as a model for integration,” and added, “Looking at global trends, metropolitan integration is the general path. Local regions cannot remain competitive if they are divided.”