Jeollanam-do Accelerates Legislative Drive for Gwangju-Jeonnam Integration Special Act

Meeting of Governors and National Assembly Members
Discussion on Finance, Industry, Special Provisions, and Legislative Strategies
Strategic Persuasion Targeting Government and National Assembly
Continued Broad Communication with the Local Community

Kim Youngrok, Governor of Jeollanam-do, is discussing the special law for administrative integration of Gwangju and Jeonnam with local members of the National Assembly at the 2nd breakfast meeting reviewing the special law held on the 21st at the National Assembly Members' Office Building in Seoul. Provided by Jeonnam Province

Jeollanam-do and Gwangju Metropolitan City are accelerating efforts to enact the “Special Act (tentative name) on the Establishment of the Gwangju-Jeonnam Special City” for administrative integration.

On the morning of January 21, the two local governments held the “2nd Breakfast Meeting to Review the Special Act on the Integration of Gwangju and Jeonnam” in Seminar Room 2 of the National Assembly Members' Office Building. They focused on discussing key special provisions and legislative strategies to enhance the effectiveness and completeness of the proposed bill.

The meeting was attended by Gwangju Mayor Kang Gijung, Jeollanam-do Governor Kim Youngrok, city and provincial directors, Yang Bunam, Chair of the Gwangju City Chapter of the Democratic Party of Korea, Kim Woni, Chair of the Jeonnam Provincial Chapter, 18 local National Assembly members, and about 40 participants in total. Building on the major issues proposed at the first meeting held on January 15, participants conducted an in-depth review of the details and direction of the special provisions.

In particular, the special bill, which is expected to be proposed soon, aims to pass the National Assembly plenary session by the end of February, taking into account the schedule of the 9th nationwide local elections on June 3. This meeting is being evaluated as a turning point that marks the full-scale legislative drive.

During the meeting, participants revisited a total of about 300 special provisions for Gwangju and Jeonnam, including key items such as obligations for financial support and fiscal exceptions, fostering the energy industry, priority designation of advanced strategic industry clusters, nurturing artificial intelligence (AI) and mobility industries, special provisions for culture and tourism industries, spatial utilization, and expansion of metropolitan transportation infrastructure, as well as matters related to national defense, agriculture and fisheries, and the relocation of public institutions.

Governor Kim stated, “Starting with Yeongam this week, we are holding public hearings in all cities and counties, and I am witnessing the strong interest and expectations of residents firsthand. It is most important to ensure that the will of the people is carefully reflected in the special act.” He added, “Core special provisions, including those unique to Gwangju and Jeonnam such as the energy industry, must be included in the bill. As this is an issue that will determine the region’s future, I ask the National Assembly members to continue their interest and join their efforts until the end.”

Mayor Kang Gijung said, “This special act will serve as the institutional foundation for Gwangju and Jeonnam to design their future together. Integration can only succeed if it includes practical special provisions tailored to the region’s circumstances. Now is the time to demand integration incentives from the government, such as expanded local autonomy, and to focus on thoroughly incorporating various special provisions into the special act.”

Governor Kim Youngrok and Mayor Kang Gijung have recently been focusing on building consensus among residents by sharing the necessity and urgency of administrative integration through a series of public hearings, meetings, and local forums.

Going forward, Jeollanam-do and Gwangju Metropolitan City plan to continue strategic persuasion efforts targeting the central government and the National Assembly, while also expanding social consensus on integration through broad communication with citizens and the local community.