Gwangju-Jeonnam Integration Begins as Joint Public-Private Promotion Council Launches

First Meeting Held on January 12 to Discuss Special Law and Roadmap for Gathering Public Opinion
Kang Gijung and Kim Yeongrok Attend as Public Engagement Process for City and Provincial Residents Begins in Earnest

A joint public-private working group to discuss the administrative integration of Gwangju and Jeonnam has been officially launched.

On January 12, Gwangju Metropolitan City and Jeollanam-do held the inaugural ceremony and first meeting of the "Gwangju-Jeonnam Administrative Integration Promotion Council" at the Jeonnam Research Institute in Naju, where they discussed the special administrative integration law, ways to gather public opinion from city and provincial residents, and strategies for public engagement.

On the 12th, participants are taking a commemorative photo at the first meeting of the Gwangju-Jeonnam Administrative Integration Promotion Council held at the Jeonnam Research Institute in Naju. Photo by Gwangju City

The Promotion Council is a joint public-private body composed of 20 representatives from various sectors in Gwangju and Jeonnam. The ex officio co-chairs are Kim Youngmoon, Deputy Mayor for Economy and Culture of Gwangju City, and Kang Wiwon, Vice Governor for Economic Affairs of Jeonnam Province. The civilian co-chairs are Jung Youngpal, Chairperson of the Gwangju Regional Era Committee, and Cho Bohun, former Vice President of the Korea Industrial Complex Corporation. The council members include representatives from the city and provincial councils, city, county, and district councils, heads of basic local governments, economic and social organizations, and leaders from the education and cultural sectors.

About 30 people attended the meeting, including Gwangju Mayor Kang Gijung, Jeonnam Governor Kim Yeongrok, and council members. Participants shared the outcomes of the luncheon meeting presided over by President Lee Jaemyung on January 9, and reviewed the direction of the special law and procedures for public engagement.

Gwangju City and Jeonnam Province explained that, following the formation of the Promotion Planning Group after the "Gwangju-Jeonnam Grand Integration Joint Declaration" on January 2, the launch of this council has strengthened the execution of discussions on administrative integration. The council is tasked with setting the basic direction for integration, proposing a special bill, and preparing strategies for public engagement and participation.

To reflect opinions from different regions and groups, the city and province have been operating the "Gwangju-Jeonnam Grand Integration Communication Platform" since January 8, and plan to hold briefings and meetings in all 27 cities, counties, and districts in stages. Based on these efforts, they aim to jointly draft an administrative integration bill, seek consultations with central government ministries and the National Assembly, and pass the special law by February.

Kim Yeongrok, Governor of Jeonnam, stated, "It is meaningful that the council, which will accompany the successful launch of Korea's first integrated special city, has been inaugurated today," adding, "We will prepare a basic plan and begin holding direct briefings for Jeonnam's cities and counties starting next Monday."

Mayor Kang Gijung said, "The Promotion Council will play a role in listening to the voices of city and provincial residents and supporting legislation," and urged, "Please envision the future of Gwangju-Jeonnam integration with boundless imagination."