Gwangju-Jeonnam Administrative Integration Public Hearing Held in Jangheung, Jeonnam... Sharing Rural Realities

Focus on Efforts to Attract Businesses and Create Jobs

Kim Youngrok, Governor of Jeollanam-do, is explaining the administrative integration promotion plan at the Gwangju-Jeonnam Administrative Integration Public Hearing held at the Jangheung County Citizens' Hall main conference room on the 23rd. Provided by Jeonnam Province

On January 23, Jeollanam-do held a public hearing in Jangheung County, located in the central-southern region, to listen to the voices of residents regarding the administrative integration of Gwangju and Jeonnam.

At the public hearing, Kim Youngrok, Governor of Jeollanam-do, addressed more than 500 residents who filled the Jangheung County Citizens' Hall, focusing on explaining the short- and long-term changes in residents' lives resulting from the Gwangju-Jeonnam integration, as well as efforts to attract businesses and create jobs.

Residents actively participated in the discussion, presenting their opinions candidly on issues such as strengthening regional identity after integration, implementing development strategies, and the need for policy consideration for underdeveloped areas such as rural and fishing communities.

Governor Kim stated, "Administrative integration goes beyond simply reorganizing the administrative system; it affects all aspects of residents' lives. Therefore, it is important to fully reflect the voices from the field in the policy-making process. I deeply empathize with the concerns about the relative neglect of the central-southern region of Jeonnam, including Jangheung, raised at the public hearing. We will actively incorporate the realities and opinions of rural areas to create an integrated model for joint growth between Gwangju and Jeonnam."

Jeollanam-do plans to continue holding public hearings by visiting cities and counties in the eastern, southwestern, and Gwangju suburban regions, including Muan County and Yeonggwang County.

The detailed schedule for each city and county’s public hearing can be found on the Jeollanam-do website. Residents who wish to participate can register in advance using the QR codes provided on the Jeollanam-do and each local government’s website, or register on-site on the day of the event. The Gwangju-Jeonnam Administrative Integration Public Hearings, which will visit all 22 cities and counties, are being conducted as an open communication platform both online and offline, including live broadcasts on Jeollanam-do’s official YouTube channel for those unable to attend in person.