Participation Autonomy 21: "Gwangju-Jeonnam Administrative Integration Must Undergo Public Consensus"

On the morning of 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

Civic groups in Gwangju have urged that residents of Gwangju and Jeonnam must directly participate in and build consensus regarding the proposed administrative integration of the two regions.

On January 7, the Gwangju civic group Participation Autonomy 21 issued a statement expressing support for the administrative integration of Gwangju and Jeonnam, while insisting that "a consent process involving the direct participation of city and provincial residents must be implemented."

Participation Autonomy 21 stated, "Gwangju and Jeonnam have long formed a community sharing history, economy, and daily life. In the face of population decline and the risk of regional extinction, metropolitan administrative integration is a matter of survival." The group emphasized, "Because this issue will have a significant impact on the lives of local residents, the background, benefits, and procedures of the integration must be clearly explained to the public to foster understanding and consensus."

The group further added, "After integration, legislation must be enacted to significantly guarantee local fiscal authority, autonomy, and legislative power. Only by securing federal-level authority can balanced national development and a successful model of metropolitan integration be achieved."