Yeosu City Proposes 'Five Key Tasks' to Government for Jeonnam-Gwangju Integration

Sympathizing with the Purpose of Balanced National Development, Welcoming the Initiative
"Integration Must Ensure Shared Prosperity as Equal Partners"
Strengthening Petrochemical Competitiveness and Expanding Metropolitan Transportation Networks
Presenting 'Five Key Strategies for Yeosu's Future Development'

As discussions on the administrative integration of Jeonnam and Gwangju have recently gained momentum, Yeosu City (Mayor Chung Kimyung) announced on January 16 that it has officially proposed to the government 'five key tasks' to ensure a foundation for joint growth as an equal participant in the integration process.

In a statement released the previous day, Mayor Chung expressed, "We fully support and welcome the purpose of administrative integration between Gwangju and Jeonnam, which aims to alleviate overcrowding in the Seoul metropolitan area and promote balanced national development." He emphasized, "Integration should not result in a unilateral restructuring centered on a specific region, but must ensure that all areas share the benefits equally."

Statement from Yeosu City Regarding the Promotion of Jeonnam-Gwangju Integration. Provided by Yeosu City.

At the same time, he presented 'five key tasks' as prerequisites for integration, which would guarantee the growth foundation of Yeosu and other eastern regions alongside the integration discussions.

The five key tasks are: ▲ Comprehensive government-level support to enhance the competitiveness of the petrochemical industry in the Yeosu Industrial Complex ▲ Establishment of a hydrogen industry cluster in the Gwangyang Bay Area and clarification of the eastern region as a hub for new industries and manufacturing ▲ Expansion of the eastern region’s metropolitan transportation network, including the construction of a new KTX line on the Korean Peninsula ▲ Designation of Yeosu as a global tourism special zone and advancement as a hub for global marine tourism and MICE industries ▲ Relocation of public institutions in the marine and fisheries sector to Yeosu, fostering strategic bases for the fisheries industry and balanced placement of such institutions.

Based on these five key tasks, the city plans to actively reflect its position in the administrative integration working group to be formed in the future and to gather opinions from the local community.

Chung Kimyung, Mayor of Yeosu, stated, "Yeosu is a symbolic city of local autonomy, having achieved the 'Three-Ryeo Integration' through the nation’s first resident initiative in the past." He added, "We will respond thoroughly together with our citizens so that this administrative integration can serve as an opportunity for a new leap forward while preserving Yeosu’s identity."