Kang Gijeong: "Proposing Delegation of Fiscal and Autonomous Authority for Gwangju-South Jeolla Integration"

Plans for Integration Announced Ahead of President Lee's Luncheon
Special Bill Aimed for National Assembly Submission on the 16th
City, Province, and Education Offices to Participate

Kang Gijeong, Mayor of Gwangju Metropolitan City, who is scheduled to attend a luncheon meeting on the promotion of administrative integration between Gwangju and South Jeolla Province presided over by President Lee Jaemyung, announced that he would propose the delegation of fiscal and autonomous authority as well as support for future industries.

During a breakfast lecture at the Gwangju Employers Federation on January 9, Mayor Kang stated, "It seems the President is willing to provide maximum support if Gwangju and South Jeolla Province take the lead in promoting administrative integration. At the luncheon, I will confirm this intention."

Kang Gijeong, Mayor of Gwangju Metropolitan City. Photo by Gwangju City

Regarding future industries, he said, "We considered attracting a semiconductor cluster, but since the previous day the presidential office clarified that it is not considering relocating companies, I am deliberating whether to make such a proposal."

On the subject of fiscal and autonomous authority, Kang said, "I plan to request the transfer of fiscal authority, autonomy, and administrative powers to local governments," adding, "If the integrated Gwangju-South Jeolla body pilots fiscal and autonomous decentralization, by the end of the President's term, we could declare the first year of relocating national projects to local governments."

He also revealed the schedule for promoting administrative integration. Mayor Kang explained, "By next week, we will prepare a special bill, hold a public hearing with the Presidential Office and the Democratic Party of Korea on the 15th, and aim to introduce the bill to the National Assembly on the 16th. Fourteen officials from the city, province, and education offices are drafting the bill."

He stated that, so far, the only agreed-upon matter is the principle of "promoting administrative integration with the status of a special city." The focus of the luncheon meeting will be to confirm the President's willingness to support the initiative.

Mayor Kang said, "We plan to include the spirit of democracy and the anti-Japanese independence movement, which are the essence of Gwangju and South Jeolla, as well as future-oriented industries, in the special integration law," adding, "If a special mayor for the integrated Gwangju-South Jeolla is elected in the June 3 local elections, that mayor will exercise authority over the government office and organizational management, thereby completing the administrative integration."

Regarding the implementation of a resident referendum, he explained, "The legal principle is to seek the opinions of the city and provincial councils, and a resident referendum is to be held only if those opinions cannot be obtained. While some argue that a resident referendum is necessary, the law stipulates that consent from the city and provincial councils alone is sufficient."

Mayor Kang added, "Assemblyman Ju Cheolhyeon is advocating for a resident referendum," and "Assemblymen Shin Jeonghun and Min Hyeongbae, who were previously passive, have now shifted to support a faster push for the initiative."