"No to Gwangju-Centric Integration"...Kwangguk Na Advocates for Jeonnam Provincial Office as Administrative Center

"Jeonnam Should Be the Administrative Center...
Let’s Prevent Conflict by Specifying It in Special Legislation"

Kwangguk Na, a member of the Jeonnam Provincial Council (Democratic Party of Korea, Muan 2), argued that after the administrative integration of Gwangju and Jeonnam, the workplace of the heads of local governments should be the current Jeonnam Provincial Office.

On January 19, Assemblyman Na held a press conference in the briefing room of the Jeonnam Provincial Council and stated, "The administrative office and the workplace of the head of the integrated local government to be launched in the future must be the current Jeonnam Provincial Office."

Kwangguk Na, a member of the Jeonnam Provincial Council, held a press conference and argued that after the administrative integration of Gwangju and Jeonnam, the workplace of the heads of local governments should be the current Jeonnam Provincial Office. Provided by Jeonnam Provincial Council

Assemblyman Na emphasized, "The administrative integration of Jeonnam and Gwangju is already an ongoing trend of the times, and now the important issue is 'what structure the integration will take.' Integration should not override existing agreements, but rather be a process of institutionalizing them."

He specifically identified the "workplace of the head of the integrated local government" as the most critical issue after integration.

Assemblyman Na pointed out, "The workplace of the head of the local government is not simply a matter of administrative convenience, but a crucial issue that determines the direction of authority and budget for the integrated local government. If administrative functions continue to be concentrated in Gwangju after integration, it will result in the creation of another 'local metropolitan area' that cannot break away from the single-centered structure of the capital region."

He also proposed a division of roles between Jeonnam and Gwangju. He said, "While Gwangju has already accumulated infrastructure in universities, research institutes, culture, and healthcare, Jeonnam encompasses 22 cities and counties responsible for wide-area administration, as well as numerous public institutions, in fields such as agriculture, fisheries, energy, industrial complexes, and land management. The administrative center should be Jeonnam, which represents the Honam region, and the first official duty of the inaugural special mayor, who will take office on July 1, 2026, should begin at the current Jeonnam Provincial Office."

Assemblyman Na also called for these points to be legally guaranteed. He stressed, "The workplace of the head of the integrated local government must be clearly stipulated in a special law to ensure that integration can be settled without confusion or conflict. This is the most rational integration model in line with the principle of local autonomy."

He added, "The survival of local regions is essential for the country to thrive," and pledged, "In line with the state philosophy of the Lee Jaemyung administration, I will do my utmost to ensure that the administrative integration of Jeonnam and Gwangju becomes a successful case of local autonomy in Korea."