"Special Self-Governing Cities and Provinces Must Not Be Neglected or Discriminated Against" Four Local Leaders Declare "Joint Response"

Emergency Meeting of Governors of the Administrative Council of Special Self-Governing Cities and Provinces
Call for Swift Passage of the "Three Special Self-Governing Regions and Administrative Capital Special Act"
Joint Response to Delays in the Three Special Self-Governing Regions and Administrative Capital Special Act and Concerns over Exclusion from Administrative Integration

The governors of the Administrative Council of Special Self-Governing Cities and Provinces of the Republic of Korea (Chair: Governor of Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province Kim Jintae) held an emergency meeting and roundtable on the 8th at the Conrad Hotel in Seoul.

The mayors and governors of the Council of Special Self-Governing Cities and Provinces of the Republic of Korea (Chairman: Kim Jintae, Governor of Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province) are holding an emergency meeting and briefing at the Conrad Seoul Hotel in Seoul on the 8th. Provided by Gangwon Province

This gathering was held on a holiday at the suggestion of Chairperson Kim, and the participants discussed response measures to the recent delay in the National Assembly and political circles' bill review of the "Three Special Self-Governing Regions and Administrative Capital Special Act" and concerns about being sidelined in the process of administrative integration.

Recently, the National Assembly decided that during its February session it would review only the "Integrated Special Act," excluding the Three Special Self-Governing Regions and Administrative Capital Special Act, which has sparked controversy over neglect and discrimination.

Accordingly, they discussed the problems and concerns related to the passage of the special act in February and the incentives for wide-area administrative integration, and gathered opinions on future response measures.

In addition, at the roundtable, each city and province announced its own statement reflecting its specific characteristics and conditions, including requests and recommendations.

First, Chairperson Kim stated, "The Gangwon Special Act, which was introduced first, as well as the Three Special Self-Governing Regions Act and the Administrative Capital Act must be reviewed first." He also said that the administrative integration incentive of "20 trillion won in support has no funding plan at all, so in the process of allocating limited financial resources, other local governments will inevitably suffer damage." Regarding the priority relocation of public institutions to the integrating cities and provinces, he added that "if the integrating cities and provinces take all the prime public institutions and leave only empty shells for other regions, it will create the worst imbalance," and called on the government to present support measures for the special self-governing cities and provinces as well.

Sejong Mayor Choi Minho proposed that, for the successful completion of the "Five Axes and Three Special Self-Governing Regions" strategy, the "Administrative Capital Special Act," the "Sejong City Special Act," and the "Three Special Self-Governing Regions Special Act" should be promptly handled together with the Administrative Integration Act. He also raised the issue of structural fiscal discrimination that Sejong City faces due to its single-tier administrative system, and requested the expansion of a stable fiscal base, including improvements to the ordinary local allocation tax system, in order to enhance the efficiency of national governance.

Jeonbuk Governor Kim Kwanyeong said, "As support measures for wide-area administrative integration are becoming more concrete, substantial fiscal and authority backing commensurate with the status and role of the special self-governing cities and provinces is necessary," adding, "The integration of Jeonju and Wanju is also a key task to enhance the competitiveness of Jeonbuk's core city, and support measures equivalent to those for wide-area integration must be prepared." He continued, "Since the four special self-governing cities and provinces are speaking with one voice, North Jeolla Province will keep pace until the end and work together responsibly until the amendment to the special act is passed."

Kim Jintae, Chair of the Council of Governors for Special Self-Governing Cities and Provinces of the Republic of Korea (Governor of Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province), is delivering remarks at a meeting held on the 8th at the Conrad Hotel in Seoul. Provided by Gangwon Province

Chairperson Kim Jintae of the Council said, "I am grateful that, even though we suddenly scheduled this meeting over the weekend, the governors readily agreed," and added, "This shows how great our sense of crisis and concern is, and we will respond jointly at the council level."

Meanwhile, the Administrative Council was launched in July 2023 and has been carrying out joint cooperation activities such as regular meetings and forums every year for the benefit and shared prosperity of the special self-governing cities and provinces.