Prime Minister Kim Minseok Attends Jeonnam-Gwangju Integration Special Committee Meeting

Kim Wonyi: "The Era of Energy Transformation Is the Greatest Opportunity for Jeonnam and Gwangju"

The Special Committee for the Integration Promotion of Jeonnam and Gwangju held a meeting on the morning of the 14th at the National Assembly with Prime Minister Kim Minseok and members of the National Assembly from Jeonnam and Gwangju. Photo by Kim Wonyi's office

The Special Committee for the Integration Promotion of Jeonnam and Gwangju (co-chaired by Assemblymen Kim Wonyi and Yang Bunam) held a meeting on the morning of the 14th at the National Assembly with Prime Minister Kim Minseok and members of the National Assembly from Jeonnam and Gwangju.

This meeting was organized to reaffirm the necessity of integrating Jeonnam and Gwangju, and to allow Prime Minister Kim Minseok and the National Assembly members from Jeonnam and Gwangju to exchange views on the principles and direction for enacting a special law on integration, as well as on region-specific long-standing projects and current issues.

In his opening remarks, Prime Minister Kim Minseok stated, "Administrative integration is a highly significant shift, not only because it strengthens local autonomy and decentralization, but also because it changes the direction toward region-led growth. The direction, content, speed, and determination are all important." He also promised government support for the Jeonnam and Gwangju regions, saying, "I will listen carefully to the opinions of the Assembly members and reflect them."

In his opening statement, Co-Chairman Kim Wonyi said, "The integration of Jeonnam and Gwangju is the best opportunity and the most optimal method for the development of the Honam region. Especially in this era of energy and industrial transformation, it will be the greatest opportunity for Jeonnam and Gwangju. Going forward, we will do our utmost to secure large-scale government financial support, obtain a firm commitment for the relocation of public institutions, and attract industries and companies."

He further emphasized, "We must attract future high-tech strategic industries such as AI and semiconductors based on renewable energy, as well as the RE100 national industrial complex, to create future growth engines for Jeonnam and Gwangju and to lay the foundation for industrial transformation."

Meanwhile, during the meeting, the need to establish development plans for each region-including the Gwangju area, southwestern Jeonnam, eastern Jeonnam, southern Jeonnam, and rural and fishing villages-was also raised.

It was decided to cooperate with Jeonnam Province and Gwangju Metropolitan City to enact a special law on the integration of Gwangju and Jeonnam that addresses region-specific long-standing projects and current issues, and to separately establish a plan to reflect these in future government budgets and policy projects.

Co-Chairman Kim Wonyi stated, "I will work to ensure that the intent of the special law on the integration of Jeonnam and Gwangju, which will be enacted in the future, is fully realized and that the process moves quickly by fostering cooperation among the party, the government, and the presidential office."