Jeonnam Mayors and County Governors Association Officially Supports Administrative Integration of Gwangju and Jeonnam

"A Survival Strategy to Address Regional Extinction"
Emphasizing the 'Five Axes and Three Special Zones' as the Core of National Balanced Development

The Jeonnam Mayors and County Governors Association has officially announced its support for the administrative integration of Jeonnam and Gwangju, defining it as a key strategy to address the crisis of regional extinction.

The Jeonnam Mayors and County Governors Association, a council of the heads of 22 cities and counties in Jeonnam, stated, "The administrative integration of Jeonnam and Gwangju is an essential task for the region's survival and sustainable growth in the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution," adding, "We fully support this initiative."

Jeonnam Mayors and County Governors Association. Provided by Jangheung County

The association highlighted the crisis of regional extinction caused by the outflow of young people, aging population, and population decline, emphasizing that administrative integration could serve as an opportunity to alleviate the national imbalance that has worsened due to the concentration in the capital area. In particular, they expressed expectations that the integration would play a significant role in completing the 'Five Axes and Three Special Zones' system, a national balanced development strategy of the Lee Jaemyung administration.

The association also stated that administrative integration should go beyond the mere merging of administrative districts and should lead to the integration of industries and policies. They explained that combining Jeonnam's renewable energy base with Gwangju's artificial intelligence (AI) industry capabilities could enable the creation of a super-regional economic ecosystem.

In addition, the association emphasized the importance of gathering public opinion from residents throughout the integration process. They pledged to serve as a communication channel that reflects the voices of people from all walks of life, since the residents are the main stakeholders in the integration, and to actively participate in practical discussions between the city and province.

Kim Sung, President of the Jeonnam Mayors and County Governors Association, said, "Jeonnam and Gwangju are a community of shared destiny, having long shared history, culture, and living spheres," adding, "The mayors and county governors of all 22 cities and counties will unite to cooperate in the administrative integration, and we will do our utmost to help Jeonnam and Gwangju rise as a core axis of the nation in this era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution."