A 'Great Transition Planning Committee' has been formed to prepare for the launch of the Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City and to create a blueprint for its administration. The committee, composed of 20 experts across seven sub-committees, will be chaired by former Samsung Electronics executive Jeong Eun-seung.
Jeonnam Governor Kim Young-rok congratulated the newly elected officials of the proposed Gwangju-Jeonnam Special City, urging them to create genuine coexistence and sustainable growth and to address the reality of regional extinction.
Newly elected Mayor-Elect Min Hyung-bae of the South Jeolla-Gwangju Special City faces immediate challenges including the location of the main administrative building, relocation of Gwangju military airport, establishment of a national medical school, and securing government funding.
Gwangju City and Jeonnam Province have announced draft regulations for the integrated special city, set to launch on July 1st. The plan includes a four-deputy mayor system and unified departmental structures for efficient governance.
Kim Dae-jung has been elected as the first Superintendent of Education for the unified Jeonnam-Gwangju Special City, securing 42.67% of the vote with 90.95% of ballots counted. He previously served as the Jeonnam Provincial Superintendent of Education.
The Gwangju Chamber of Commerce expressed expectations for the newly elected mayor, Min Hyung-bae, to lead the integrated special city towards a future of cooperation and mutual growth, emphasizing the importance of administrative integration for regional competitiveness and national balanced development.
Mokpo National University and Sunchon National University have resumed talks regarding their integration, which has been stalled due to disagreements over the location of the medical school. The new governor of the Jeonnam-Gwangju Special City is expected to mediate the dispute.
NH Nonghyup Bank was chosen to manage the 21 trillion won integrated Gwangju-Jeonnam special city treasury's primary account, with local Nonghyup branch numbers reportedly influencing the decision. Gwangju Bank, which had fewer branches, was designated for the secondary account.
Candidates for the unified special city mayor in the 6.3 local elections presented distinct visions for the integrated city and the utilization of up to 20 trillion won in incentives, differing on development strategies and priorities.
