On the 24th, the National Assembly's Legal Affairs Committee passed a special law aimed at establishing an integrated metropolitan city between Jeonnam and Gwangju, led by the Democratic Party of Korea. This legislative initiative is part of ongoing discussions about administrative efficiency and regional development. The law not only proposes the establishment of an integrated city but also includes provisions defining its legal personality and special privileges under the local autonomy law.

In the same session, two other proposed special laws for integrating Daegu and Gyeongbuk, and Chungnam and Daejeon were put on hold. This decision was largely influenced by noticeable opposition from local government heads and city councils, indicating concerns over the feasibility and implications of such integrations. The differential treatment in progressing these proposals reflects the varying political and social considerations across different regions of South Korea.

The advancements in Jeonnam and Gwangju's integration signal a significant step towards structural change in South Korea's administrative organization, potentially improving local governance and service delivery in the region. However, the setbacks faced by Chungnam, Daejeon, Daegu, and Gyeongbuk highlight ongoing regional tensions and the complexities involved in achieving administrative unification in diverse local environments.