South Korea has launched an integrated special city council consisting of 91 members [1] to support the administrative merger of Gwangju and Jeonnam.
The move represents a strategic attempt to overcome regionalism and unify local administration. By consolidating resources, the region aims to strengthen its bid for national strategic projects and reduce the economic dominance of the Seoul metropolitan area.
The new council will focus on policy and budget deliberations to provide the necessary financial and administrative backing for the integration process. Officials said the merger is intended to foster regional harmony and create a more competitive administrative entity representing 3.2 million people [2].
A primary objective of the integrated body is the support of a semiconductor cluster. This project is viewed as a critical component of the region's economic future. The council expects the integration to unlock significant financial advantages, with estimated fiscal incentives reaching 20 trillion won [3].
Council member Lim Jong-kook said the initiative is a national strategic project designed to change the industrial map of South Korea and overcome the one-pole system of the capital region. He said the council will provide strong policy support and thorough monitoring to ensure the success of the semiconductor mega project.
The 91-member body will act as the legislative backbone for the transition, ensuring that the merger of the metropolitan city and the province translates into tangible economic growth. By aligning their budgets, the two regions hope to attract larger investments in high-tech manufacturing, and infrastructure.
“The new council will focus on policy and budget deliberations to provide the necessary financial and administrative backing.”
The creation of this integrated council signals a shift toward regional consolidation in South Korea to combat the extreme centralization of power and wealth in Seoul. By forming a larger administrative bloc of 3.2 million people, Gwangju and Jeonnam are attempting to create an economy of scale capable of hosting a semiconductor cluster, which is essential for competing in the global tech landscape.
