"Expectations and Concerns Coexist Over Administrative Integration"…First Public Hearing Held in Gwangju

Collecting Opinions on Economic, Educational, and Humanities Policies

At the citizens' public hearing held on the 19th in the main conference room of Dong-gu Office in Gwangju, about 400 people including residents' autonomy committee members, neighborhood leaders, officials from institutions and social organizations, and education workers are taking a commemorative photo. Photo by Min Chanki

At the first public hearing held to gather Gwangju citizens' opinions on the administrative integration of Gwangju and Jeonnam, expectations and concerns were voiced regarding the authority, finances, and education of the proposed integrated special city.

The citizens' public hearing, held on this day in the main conference room of Dong-gu Office in Gwangju, was attended by about 400 local residents, including members of residents' autonomy committees, neighborhood leaders, officials from institutions and social organizations, and education workers. This public hearing marks the first of five regional citizens' hearings scheduled to take place.

The hearing saw participation from a diverse range of attendees, including young and middle-aged adults, as well as representatives from the economic, educational, humanities, and sports sectors, ensuring that opinions were collected in a balanced manner across different age groups and fields.

Kim, a resident of Dong-gu, suggested, "The authority and finances of the integrated special city must be sufficiently transferred. Through tax reform, tax items that are essentially local taxes but currently classified as national taxes should be boldly converted to local taxes. In addition, a portion of grants should be allocated to Gwangju's autonomous districts, whose finances are weaker compared to cities and counties in Jeonnam."

Regarding the location of the integrated special mayor's office, Choi Jaeho, president of the Namgwangju Sunrise Merchants Association, said, "The location of the government building will eventually become a source of conflict. Utilizing the former Jeonnam Provincial Government building, Jeonil Building 245, and the National Asia Culture Center would provide both tradition and legitimacy, thereby helping to resolve such conflicts."

A parent of a high school student stated, "While I agree with administrative integration, stability in education must be the top priority. I cannot accept a structure where administration leads and education follows. The voices of students and parents have been excluded from the integration discussions. Education must be kept separate."

Gwangju Mayor Kang Gi-jung explained, "The fundamental principle of the Gwangju-Jeonnam integration is to exclude all disadvantages and provide even more special national support. When the government's full financial support-such as the provision of up to 5 trillion won per year, priority support for public institutions, and the granting of special city status-comes together with the aspirations of the citizens of both regions, our third attempt at administrative integration can succeed."

Gwangju Superintendent of Education Lee Jeongseon stated, "Even during the integration process, we will steadfastly uphold the value of educational autonomy and prioritize stability in the field to ensure that educational staff do not face disadvantages in personnel matters. Through continuous communication, we will remain committed to nurturing the talent that will lead the future of Gwangju and Jeonnam."

Meanwhile, starting with Dong-gu on this day, Gwangju City plans to hold citizens' public hearings in a tour of its five autonomous districts: ▲ Seo-gu (Seobitmaru Culture and Arts Center) on the 22nd, ▲ Gwangsan-gu (Yoon Sangwon Hall at Gwangsan-gu Office) on the 23rd, ▲ Buk-gu (Buk-gu Cultural Center) on the 27th, ▲ and Nam-gu (Bitgoeul Citizens' Culture Center) on the 28th.