Provincial Assemblyman Kim Woo-min: “Jeonbuk Province must mediate the conflict over Saemangeum jurisdiction.”

A suggestion was made that Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province should mediate the conflict between Gunsan, Gimje, and Buan over Saemangeum jurisdiction.

According to the Provincial Council on the 11th, Rep. Kim Woo-min (Gunsan 5), a member of the Council Steering Committee, urged a solution during an administrative audit by the Provincial Senior Secretary for Political Affairs the previous day, saying, “For the successful development of Saemangeum and the future of Jeonbuk, resolving the conflict between the three cities and counties is the top priority.”

In September of this year, the Ministry of Public Administration and Security's Central Dispute Mediation Committee (Central Committee) designated Gunsan City as the local government with jurisdiction over some reclaimed land and breakwaters at Saemangeum New Port. However, as Gimje City and Buan County filed a lawsuit in the Supreme Court, feelings between local governments are not easily abating.

Rep. Kim said, “As the conflict over Saemangeum jurisdiction prolongs, not only is administrative power wasted, but enormous litigation costs are being incurred.” He added, “The direct costs related to the Saemangeum lawsuit disclosed by Gunsan City alone are approximately 2.363 billion won, and if the litigation costs of Gimje City and Buan County are included, the amount becomes even larger.”

He added, "I am concerned that the precious tax money of the residents of the province is being used to enrich large law firms through litigation between local governments, rather than being used for regional development." He added, "Jeonbuk Province should act as a mediator, utilize practical mediation tools such as budget and policy support, and create justification and conditions for each city and county to resolve conflicts."