Gwangju Namgu Council Adopts Resolution Urging Prompt Promotion of Administrative Integration

Gwangju Namgu Council adopted the resolution "Urgent Promotion of Administrative Integration of Gwangju and Jeonnam," which was primarily proposed by Councilor Park Yonghwa, at the 1st plenary session of the 317th extraordinary meeting. Provided by Gwangju Namgu Council

On January 20, the Gwangju Namgu Council announced that it had adopted the resolution urging the prompt promotion of the administrative integration of Gwangju and Jeonnam at the 1st plenary session of the 317th extraordinary meeting, which was sponsored by Councilor Park Yonghwa.

Councilor Park pointed out, "Due to the intensifying concentration in the Seoul metropolitan area, South Korea is facing the crisis of local extinction. Gwangju and Jeonnam are also experiencing complex challenges such as population decline, regional economic stagnation, and worsening fiscal conditions. The current administrative system alone has limitations in effectively responding to these crises."

He continued, "The administrative integration of Gwangju and Jeonnam, which is being pursued in line with the government's 'Five Core Regions and Three Special Zones' policy, goes beyond a simple reorganization of administrative districts. It is a timely demand and a strategic choice for the future, aiming to strengthen regional competitiveness through super-regional cooperation and to lead balanced national development." He stated, "Administrative integration will enhance the capacity to respond to future national industries such as artificial intelligence (AI), energy transition, and the semiconductor industry. It will also create synergistic effects in various areas such as transportation, culture, and welfare, thereby providing an opportunity to substantially improve the quality of life for residents."

In particular, he emphasized, "Namgu is a key hub in the southern region of Gwangju and Jeonnam, equipped with the Energy Valley Industrial Complex and the Special Cultural and Educational Zone. Through administrative integration, Namgu's advanced energy industry will be able to combine with Jeonnam's abundant renewable energy resources to secure competitiveness, and the educational infrastructure will expand throughout Jeonnam, offering a new opportunity to become a cradle for nurturing talent."

The Namgu Council members called for: ▲ the continuous promotion of administrative integration between Gwangju and Jeonnam based on mutual trust and cooperation; and ▲ the government and National Assembly to promptly enact the 'Gwangju-Jeonnam Integration Special Act' to guarantee a substantial expansion of local autonomy as an integrated local government.

Additionally, the council members pledged that the Namgu Council would continue to present policy alternatives at the basic council level and actively cooperate with the city and provincial councils to ensure the success of the Gwangju-Jeonnam administrative integration.