Governor Kim Youngrok Requests Inclusion of Original Draft of Special Act for Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City

Explains key special provisions to Chu Miae, Chair of the National Assembly Legislation and Judiciary Committee
"A national task to realize locally led growth"

On the 24th, Kim Youngrok, Governor of Jeollanam-do, met with Chu Miae, chair of the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee, and requested that the original draft of the "Special Act to Establish the Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City" be adopted. Provided by the Jeonnam Provincial Government.

Kim Youngrok, Governor of Jeollanam-do, met with Chu Miae, chair of the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee, on the 24th to request inclusion of the original draft of the Special Act for Establishing the Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City.

During the meeting, he explained that, in the committee's deliberations, all key special provisions must be reflected without omission in order to secure substantial authority for the integrated special city.

Governor Kim stressed, "The Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City is a national task aimed at realizing a growth strategy led by local governments," adding, "The original draft of the Special Act, which was introduced without any reduction or adjustment during discussions in the National Assembly, must be reflected as is."

In particular, he expressed deep concern over the fact that, in the review report of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries presented an opinion calling for the deletion of the provision that transfers the authority of the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries to the mayor of the integrated special city with respect to special cases concerning the development of fishery resources and related matters.

Governor Kim stated, "Jeonnam is a region with the largest fisheries base in the country, and the authority over the development and management of fishery resources is a core issue directly linked to the competitiveness of the local fisheries industry," and strongly requested, "Since policy effectiveness is enhanced when the local government closest to the field holds both authority and responsibility, please do not delete the relevant provision and keep it as in the original draft."

In response, Chu Miae, chair of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, listened carefully to the purpose of the Special Act and the demands of the region and replied, "In the process of reviewing the bill, we will closely examine it by comprehensively considering the legislative intent and consistency."

The bill on the Special Act for Establishing the Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City passed the Legislation and Judiciary Committee in its original form on this day and now only awaits passage at the plenary session. Jeonnam Province plans to fully activate the preparation system for the launch of the integrated special city in line with the passage at the National Assembly plenary session and to focus its administrative capacity on establishing the institutional foundation and implementing follow-up measures.