"A Turning Point to End the Seoul-Centric Era"
Declaration to Prepare for the Launch of the Integrated Special City on July 1
The day after the special law stipulating the administrative integration of Gwangju and Jeonnam passed the National Assembly, Mayor Kang Ki-jung of Gwangju, along with senior city officials and heads of public institutions, visited the National May 18th Democratic Cemetery to pay their respects. Mayor Kang stated, "A new milestone has been set in the history of Gwangju and Jeonnam," expressing his intention to accelerate preparations for the launch of the integrated special city.
On March 2, Mayor Kang Ki-jung, senior officials of Gwangju City, and heads of public institutions paid tribute at the National May 18th Democratic Cemetery in Buk-gu. After the visit, they delivered a statement in front of the Democracy Gate regarding the passage of the "Special Act for the Establishment of Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City" in the National Assembly.
Kang Ki-jung, Mayor of Gwangju Metropolitan City, after paying respects at the National 5·18 Democratic Cemetery on the 2nd, is delivering a statement in front of the Gate of Democracy regarding the passage of the "Special Act on the Establishment of the Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City" in the National Assembly plenary session. Provided by Gwangju City
In the statement, Mayor Kang declared, "A new milestone has been set in the history of Gwangju and Jeonnam," and assessed that "this is the moment when the era of the Seoul metropolitan area as the sole center comes to an end, and we emerge as the core of balanced national development with five major hubs and three special zones."
The special act was passed by the National Assembly plenary session on the night of March 1. This came 59 days after Mayor Kang Ki-jung of Gwangju and Governor Kim Young-rok of Jeonnam announced a joint declaration to promote an integrated local government for Gwangju and Jeonnam at the same location on January 2.
Mayor Kang also mentioned the difficulties encountered during the legislative process. He said, "There were numerous crises, such as disputes over the name and the location of the main government office, the risk of deleting key special provisions, and even a filibuster by the opposition party, but we overcame these through dialogue and compromise, guided by the spirit of democracy taught by May 1980."
He continued, "This special act is a 'Special Act for Youth Employment' that will revive the region," adding, "A clear incentive system for businesses has been established, public institutions will be given priority in relocation, and a legal foundation has been created to drive fiscal investment on a scale of 20 trillion won."
Mayor Kang mentioned the AI industry, the semiconductor joint engineering college, the opening of Urban Railway Line 2, and the agreement on the relocation of civil-military airports, stating, "Such changes and achievements will lead to investments by major corporations, creating tens of thousands of jobs."
He pledged, "We will complete a model integration law and advance toward autonomy and decentralization at a federal level," and added, "We will make thorough preparations for the launch of the integrated special city on July 1."
Mayor Kang also said, "We will add economic prosperity to the pride of having safeguarded democracy and put an end to the pain of young people having to leave their hometowns to seek jobs," and added, "Even if it is not 'in Seoul,' life will be sufficient; together with the special citizens, we will open a new tomorrow called 'in Gwangju-Jeonnam.'"
He further emphasized, "Gwangju, which first emerged in the name of 'democracy' in 1980, is now about to make its second appearance as a 'strong and prosperous Gwangju-Jeonnam,' and through the completion of integration, we will achieve a 'second appearance even more dramatic than the first.'"
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