Gwangju-South Jeolla Integration in Sight... Ruling Party to Propose Special Law Within This Month

Ruling Party Accelerates with Working-Level Meetings and Hearings
Kim Minseok to Announce Government Support Measures on the 16th

The Democratic Party of Korea and the government have decided to prepare a special law and budget support plan for the integration of Gwangju Metropolitan City and South Jeolla Province by the end of this month, bringing administrative integration into view. The party and the government have accelerated the schedule for working-level meetings, government plan announcements, and legislative hearings related to administrative integration, with the goal of presenting the special law within this month.

On the morning of January 14, Prime Minister Kim Minseok held a meeting with lawmakers from Gwangju and South Jeolla, who are promoting administrative integration, at the National Assembly Members' Office Building in Yeouido, Seoul. He stated, "Interest among local residents in Gwangju and South Jeolla has been extremely high recently, and there is significant public sentiment that metropolitan integration should be achieved."

Prime Minister Kim emphasized, "Administrative integration is a highly meaningful transition, not only in terms of strengthening local autonomy and decentralization, but also in shifting toward locally driven growth. Direction, content, speed, and determination are all important," adding, "Within a few days, the government will clarify and announce its direction regarding what roles it can play in administrative integration."

Prime Minister Kim Minseok is taking a commemorative photo with attending lawmakers at the Gwangju-Jeonnam Integration Promotion Special Committee meeting held at the National Assembly Members' Office Building on January 14, 2026. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

The Democratic Party formed a Special Committee for the Promotion of Gwangju-South Jeolla Integration on January 12, appointing Assemblyman Yang Bunam, head of the Gwangju City Party, and Assemblyman Kim Woni, head of the South Jeolla Provincial Party, as co-chairs. Just two days later, the committee met with Prime Minister Kim to further accelerate the integration process.

After the meeting, Assemblyman Kim told reporters, "The integration has been 'virtually decided,'" and explained, "The South Jeolla Provincial Party held its executive committee meeting on January 12 and adopted integration as the official party line, and the Gwangju City Party is scheduled to make the same decision at its executive committee meeting at 2 p.m. today." He added, "After resolutions by the Gwangju City Council and the South Jeolla Provincial Council, it appears that the upcoming local elections on June 3 will be held as elections for the integrated Gwangju-South Jeolla metropolitan government."

On the same day, working-level officials held their first meeting to coordinate requests from Gwangju and South Jeolla, as well as special support measures, in the special law and budget bill. The Democratic Party will hold the second meeting of the special committee and a legislative hearing on the special law on January 15. Assemblyman Yang stated, "The bill will likely be submitted around the end of this month," and continued, "We will hold the hearing tomorrow. If we were to submit the bill exactly as we received it from the local governments, it could be done quickly, but that's not the case. The government's proposal must also be included, so it will be physically difficult to submit it by the 16th, but we will not let it go past this month."

Prime Minister Kim also plans to gather local residents' requests by January 16 and announce the government's special law and special support measures. When asked by reporters about the government's leading support measures, Assemblyman Kim replied, "At a luncheon meeting with Gwangju and South Jeolla lawmakers on January 9, President Lee Jaemyung stated that the government is already preparing measures in three directions: large-scale financial support, focused support for relocating public institutions, and support for attracting industries and businesses. Today, we also conveyed additional local issues."

Lawmakers from Gwangju and South Jeolla requested financial and industrial support, as well as the development of transportation networks, in relation to administrative integration. Assemblyman Kim explained, "In the Gwangju area, the main issue discussed was the metropolitan transportation network. In the eastern region, the focus was on the crisis in the steel and petrochemical industries and fostering future-oriented industries. In the southern region, the need for a comprehensive development plan that bundles individual projects and government support was raised, while in the southwestern region, the establishment of RE100 industrial complexes based on renewable energy and the creation of a national industrial belt emerged as key issues." He also emphasized, "The need for special support to address the depopulation of rural and fishing villages was also highlighted."

Regarding education, Assemblyman Yang said, "Gwangju City, South Jeolla Province, and the Office of Education have each prepared drafts and are currently finalizing the bill. We will review this at the second special committee meeting tomorrow morning and further examine it at the hearing."

On the issue of local autonomy after administrative integration, Assemblyman Yang explained, "There are two counties and five autonomous districts. The plan is to maintain the current powers and number of seats in the city and provincial councils during the integration process, with adjustments to be made later. We will ensure that there is no reduction in authority or disadvantage during the integration process." Assemblyman Kim added, "If we do not hold an integrated election in this local election, there is concern about whether it will be possible four years later. Under the overarching principle of integration, we will calmly resolve the remaining issues in due course."