Jeonnam and Gwangju are generally satisfied with the passing of a special law aimed at integrating the two regions, as modified by the National Assembly's Administrative Safety Committee.
The Jeonnam Province and Gwangju Metropolitan City expressed their satisfaction regarding the recently modified special law for the establishment of an integrated city, which has recently passed through a sub-committee of the National Assembly's Administrative Safety Committee. The law is expected to move forward to the National Assembly's Legislative Judicial Committee and the plenary session for final approval. This assessment highlights the significance of this legislative development for both local governments in enhancing their administrative and bureaucratic frameworks.
In particular, out of the 386 provisions included in the special law, local authorities noted that despite the central government's reluctance to agree to 119 proposed special measures, the Administrative Safety Committee of the National Assembly managed to incorporate all or parts of 19 essential exceptions. These provisions, which are essential for the operational capacity of the planned integrated city, pertain to various measures including the transfer of fishing rights to the special mayor and obligations regarding energy infrastructure, thereby emphasizing the legislative backing for regional development initiatives.
The integration also includes new bonus measures that support the establishment of renewable energy resources and regional universities. These measures reflect the underlying intent of the government to facilitate the transition to sustainable development while also addressing the needs of local education institutions. The collaboration between Jeonnam and Gwangju as they work towards creating a unified administrative structure will play a crucial role in not only amplifying regional economic development but also in positioning both areas as competitive urban centers in the context of South Korea’s broader economic landscape.
