Muan Prosperity Association Urges Guarantee of Muan's Status in Gwangju-Jeonnam Integration

Concerns Over Population Decline and Concentration of Public Officials in Major Cities

The Muan County Prosperity Association urged the guarantee of Muan County's status as the provincial government location through the integration of Gwangju and Jeonnam in a statement. Photo by Seunghyun Jung

A civic group in Muan County, South Jeolla Province, has called for a clear guarantee of the administrative status and functions of Muan as the location of the South Jeolla Provincial Government amid discussions on administrative integration between Gwangju and Jeonnam.

On January 22, the Prosperity Association issued a statement, saying, "While discussions on administrative integration between Gwangju and South Jeolla Province are gaining momentum, these talks are proceeding without a clear guarantee of the status and role of Muan County as the provincial government location."

The association emphasized that the provincial government office is not a facility for a specific region, but a public asset established with consideration for balanced development and administrative efficiency throughout South Jeolla Province.

Although the county has faithfully fulfilled its role and responsibilities as the provincial government location, the association pointed out that the current integration discussions lack sufficient explanation and social consensus regarding its administrative status, functions, and future role.

The Prosperity Association argued that this situation means policies are being promoted without fully reflecting the will of not only Muan residents but also all residents of South Jeolla Province. In particular, it stressed that if integration aims to strengthen regional competitiveness and improve residents' quality of life, concerns about the weakening of the status or reduction of administrative functions of the provincial government location must first be addressed.

Additionally, the association expressed concerns that if administrative integration leads to population decline and a concentration of public officials in large cities, there could be negative ripple effects such as economic stagnation and hollowing out of the region. The association stated, "If the status of Muan County is undermined, it is a problem that shakes the very administrative foundation of South Jeolla Province as a whole."

Accordingly, through its statement, the association called for: ▲ a clear guarantee of the administrative status and functions of Muan County as the location of the South Jeolla Provincial Government during the Gwangju-Jeonnam administrative integration discussions; ▲ thorough review, public discussion, and collection of opinions regarding any changes in the role and functions of the provincial government office, with transparent implementation; ▲ the presentation of effective measures such as the rational relocation of public institutions and core administrative functions to ensure that the government location does not remain merely symbolic after integration; and ▲ the establishment of clear protective measures to prevent unfair infringement of public officials' status, workplace, promotion, and treatment in relation to proposals such as using the South Jeolla Provincial Government building as the office of the Gwangju-Jeonnam Special City Mayor.

The association stated, "We cannot accept any situation in which the status of the provincial government location is damaged by a unilateral push for integration," and urged, "Do not ignore the voices of Muan residents, and promptly present concrete measures to ensure that Muan County can continue to function as a stable administrative center as the provincial government location."