Gwangju-Jeollanam-do Integration Gains Momentum with Presidential Encouragement... A Key Variable for the June 3 Local Elections

Kang Gi-jung and Kim Young-rok: "Encouraged to Pursue Integration"
Special Law Submission Planned for February, Launch Targeted for July

Gwangju Mayor Kang Gi-jung and Jeollanam-do Governor Kim Young-rok, who made a surprise declaration for the administrative integration of Gwangju and Jeollanam-do, are accelerating the integration process with the encouragement of President Lee Jae-myung. With the June 3 local elections, which aim to elect the head of the integrated local government, approaching, the integration of the metropolitan governments has emerged as a presidential agenda and a key variable in regional politics.

President Lee Jae-myung is delivering a greeting at the New Year's Reception held at the Blue House State Guesthouse on the 2nd. Photo by Yonhap News

According to the political community on January 3, Gwangju Mayor Kang Gi-jung wrote on his Facebook, "The President smiled and said, 'I heard you've decided to go ahead with the Gwangju-Jeollanam-do integration. Good job.'"

Mayor Kang, who met President Lee Jae-myung at the New Year's Reception held at the Blue House State Guesthouse, also stated, "There will be an opportunity to meet officially soon." He added, "Integration is so difficult that if you try to calculate everything, you might miss the opportunity."

Governor Kim Young-rok also shared news of his attendance at the New Year's Reception via Facebook. He wrote, "At the New Year's Reception held at the Blue House State Guesthouse, I greeted the President and First Lady and shared the news of the Gwangju-Jeollanam-do integration declaration. The President smiled and offered words of encouragement, saying, 'Well done.'" He continued, "It is empowering and enjoyable to work with a President who personally takes care of and supports important local matters."

Gwangju Mayor Kang Gijeong and Jeollanam-do Governor Kim Youngrok jointly visited the National May 18th Democratic Cemetery on the 2nd and announced the "Joint Declaration for Promoting Integrated Local Government." Provided by Gwangju City

Previously, Mayor Kang and Governor Kim visited the National May 18 Democratic Cemetery in Unjeong-dong, Buk-gu, Gwangju, and officially announced the pursuit of administrative integration by issuing the "Joint Declaration for the Promotion of Integrated Local Government of Gwangju and Jeollanam-do." The two leaders expressed their intention to promote integration with the goal of electing the "Gwangju-Jeollanam-do Integrated Governor" in the local elections this June.

The joint declaration includes the promotion of a special law for the establishment of an integrated local government encompassing the administrative districts of Gwangju and Jeollanam-do with tailored special provisions, the acquisition of special privileges through the transfer of national administrative and fiscal authority, and the establishment of the "Gwangju-Jeollanam-do Integration Promotion Council" with equal representation. Gwangju City and Jeollanam-do plan to finalize the integration plan after gathering opinions from the city and provincial councils and residents, and then prepare the final draft of the special law to submit to the National Assembly in February.

Governor Kim stated, "If possible, I would like to elect the head of the integrated government in the June local elections and begin a new history of integration starting July 1." Mayor Kang also said, "If integration is not achieved before the June 3 local elections, the possibility will gradually diminish," emphasizing that electing the integrated governor is the top priority. Both regions plan to launch the "Gwangju-Jeollanam-do Mega Metropolitan Special Self-Governing Province" in July, following the passage of the bill and the June 3 local elections.

Regarding this, President Lee wrote on X (formerly Twitter), "Following Daejeon and Chungnam, the integration of metropolitan governments, which did not seem easy, is gradually gaining momentum in Gwangju and Jeollanam-do as well. It seems that public consensus is building around the need to overcome the Seoul metropolitan area's dominance and open a new path for 'region-led growth.'"

Meanwhile, the Presidential Office announced through a press release that President Lee will invite Democratic Party lawmakers from the Gwangju and Jeollanam-do regions to the Blue House for a luncheon meeting. The specific schedule will be announced once it is confirmed.