Gwangju Civic Groups Raise Concerns Over Citizen Marginalization in Administrative Integration

Chairman Shin Jeonghun Holds Meeting, Urges Procedural Legitimacy

On the 13th, at Jeonil Building 245 in Dong-gu, Gwangju, Shin Jeonghun, Chairman of the National Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee, is speaking at the "Meeting between Chairman Shin Jeonghun and the Gwangju Civic Organizations Council." Photo by Yonhap News Agency

Civic groups in the Gwangju region have raised concerns that citizens' voices may be marginalized in the process of promoting the administrative integration of Gwangju and Jeonnam. They have strongly demanded thorough procedures for gathering public opinion and the establishment of a rational administrative system.

On January 13, the Gwangju Civic Organizations Council held a meeting on administrative integration at Jeonil Building 245 in Dong-gu, Gwangju, inviting Shin Jeonghun, Chairman of the National Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee, to share and convey the concerns of civil society regarding the overall integration process.

At the meeting, procedural legitimacy emerged as the top priority. Kim Yuna, Executive Director of the Honam Foundation for Regional Culture Exchange, stated, "While I agree that administrative integration is a task of our time, I am concerned that it may repeat past cases such as the relocation of the provincial government office or the separation of research institutes, which were carried out without citizen participation. I question whether there is sufficient preparation to collect citizens' opinions."

In response, Chairman Shin said, "In principle, official procedures such as a resident referendum should be followed, but realistically, time is extremely limited." He added, "We will do our best to gather citizens' opinions as much as possible through regional surveys and other means."

Criticism was also raised regarding the name and structure of the integrated local government. Choi Nakseon, head of the Citizens’ Life and Environment Council, pointed out, "If we move to a special city system, there is strong emotional resistance that Gwangju's historical identity could be diluted."

Chairman Shin, clarifying that this was his personal opinion, explained, "Even if the term 'special city' is used, a special self-governing province model, in which autonomy is appropriately distributed between local and metropolitan governments, may be more rational structurally. There are precedents where it has been difficult to secure the autonomy of local governments under the special city system, so I have conveyed to the President the opinion to consider a self-governing province model for the distribution of authority."

The civic groups also demanded comprehensive national budget support and the adoption of a decentralized integration model. Chairman Shin stated, "Although it is not an easy task, I will continue to communicate with civil society to minimize concerns."