[iNews24 reporter Han Bong-su] Gwangju Metropolitan City hosted a “Gwangju-Jeonnam Integration Jangheung County Win-Win Talk” at the Jangheung County Citizens’ Hall. The event aimed to engage with residents about the necessity of unifying Gwangju and Jeonnam provinces and discuss development plans for Jangheung.
The talk drew approximately 300 attendees, including Gwangju Mayor Kang Ki-jung, Jangheung County Mayor Kim Seong, provincial and county council members, and local residents, all demonstrating keen interest in the proposed integration.
Mayor Kang Ki-jung detailed the integration process, upcoming timeline, and potential government incentives, reaffirming his commitment to the merger. He also introduced special legislative provisions related to Jangheung and proposed a tailored regional development strategy.
Key proposals included expanding renewable energy initiatives like the “Sunlight Pension” and “Wind Pension,” revitalizing a literary tourism special zone, developing high-value green bio industry products, creating a bio-medical belt linking Gwangju, Hwasun, and Jangheung, expanding AI and semiconductor talent development programs, and establishing an integrated metropolitan living area.
Mayor Kang emphasized plans to create a literary tourism special zone in Jangheung, recognizing it as the literary birthplace of renowned writers Lee Cheong-jun, Han Seung-won, and Nobel laureate Han Kang. The zone would combine literature, tourism, and education.
He also suggested connecting Gwangju’s infrastructure, such as mixed-use shopping centers, with Jangheung’s Water Festival and Integrated Medical Expo to foster a mutually beneficial strategy for both regions.
The mayor highlighted the importance of harnessing Jangheung’s abundant solar and offshore wind resources for renewable energy expansion, establishing public renewable energy profit-sharing models, and promoting smart livestock farming.
During the Q&A session, residents raised various concerns, including the development of a regional transportation network, introduction of a basic income for rural communities, creation of an integrated public transit system, and measures to boost fiscal self-reliance through revenue expansion.
Mayor Kang described the integration as the first step towards becoming a “3355 prosperous new economic special city” – featuring three metropolitan areas with 1 million residents each, a 300 trillion KRW (225 billion USD) economic zone, a total population of 5 million, and an average annual wage of about 50 million KRW (37,500 USD). He urged leveraging Jangheung’s strengths, such as the bio-medical belt and literary tourism, to usher in an era of integration promoting collective growth.
Gwangju City officials stated they would compile the opinions expressed by Jangheung residents at the talk and work to develop a customized integration strategy that reflects the region’s unique characteristics and strengths.
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