Gwangju-Jeonnam Pan-Residents Council for Administrative Integration Launched... Public Discussion Begins

Private-Sector Cooperation Accelerates Ahead of Special Law Enactment

A private-sector cooperation body to discuss the administrative integration of Gwangju and Jeonnam has been officially launched. The initiative aims to foster consensus and lead public discussion among city and provincial residents, with the participation of 500 figures from various sectors in the Gwangju and Jeonnam regions.

On January 16, Gwangju Metropolitan City and Jeollanam-do held the launch ceremony for the 'Gwangju-Jeonnam Administrative Integration Promotion Pan-City and Province Residents' Council' at the Kim Dae-jung Convention Center in Gwangju in the afternoon. The event was attended by Gwangju Mayor Kang Gijeong, Jeonnam Governor Kim Youngrok, city and provincial superintendents of education, city and provincial council members, council members, and about 500 other participants.

At the launch ceremony of the 'Gwangju-Jeonnam Administrative Integration Promotion Pan-City and Province Residents' Council' held on the 16th at the Kim Dae-jung Convention Center in Gwangju, Gwangju Mayor Kang Gijeong, Jeonnam Governor Kim Youngrok, and the council's co-representatives are performing the launch performance. Provided by Gwangju City

The event began with the appointment of ten co-representatives, followed by a report on the progress of administrative integration, an explanation of the special legislative bill, and the adoption of a joint resolution by city and provincial residents. Five co-representatives were selected from each of Gwangju and Jeonnam, with representatives from civic society, business, labor, youth, women, and agriculture sectors participating.

The council consists of 500 members from Gwangju City, Jeonnam Province, city and provincial offices of education, city and provincial councils, civic organizations, the economic and industrial sectors, academia, labor, youth, women, and senior representatives. It will serve as a private communication channel to lead public discussion and social consensus on administrative integration.

Through their resolution, the participants pledged to: promote administrative integration for the mutual development of Gwangju and Jeonnam and for balanced national development; respect a democratic discussion process based on residents' understanding and participation; jointly respond to enact a special law for administrative integration; and realize sustainable integration for future generations, overcoming regional conflicts.

With the launch of the council, Gwangju and Jeonnam plan to expand the collection of residents' opinions and gradually continue public discussion on administrative integration. The special law, which will provide the institutional foundation for integration, is scheduled to be proposed at the end of this month, with the goal of passing the National Assembly in February.

Gwangju Mayor Kang Gijeong stated, "The launch of the Pan-City and Province Residents' Council for promoting administrative integration is a declaration that both regions have chosen cooperation and progress beyond boundaries. We will pursue integration in a way that enhances balanced national development and regional competitiveness through ample public discussion and consensus led by the council."

Jeonnam Governor Kim Youngrok said, "This launch ceremony is an occasion to officially confirm, together with the residents, Gwangju and Jeonnam's commitment to move forward toward administrative integration. We will continue to engage with residents to the end and carry on the integration discussions while upholding procedural legitimacy."