Seven Cities and Counties in the Eastern Region Discuss Joint Proposals and Response Measures for Key Issues

Meeting Held to Discuss Establishment of Eastern Region Win-Win Council

Gwangyang City Proposes Maintaining the Independence and Expertise of the Yeosu Gwangyang Port Authority

Gwangyang City in Jeonnam Gwangju Metropolitan City announced on August 18th that it held a meeting on the 16th with the heads of seven cities and counties in the eastern region of Jeonnam Gwangju Metropolitan City to discuss the establishment of the Eastern Region Win-Win Council.

During the meeting, participants discussed the launch of the Eastern Region Win-Win Council, jointly addressed major agendas such as giving the eastern region priority when designating relocation sites for the second round of public institution moves, maintaining the independence and expertise of the Yeosu Gwangyang Port Authority, strengthening the functions and authority of the Eastern Office, expanding essential medical infrastructure in the eastern region, and establishing a medical school and university hospital at Chonnam National University in Suncheon. They also discussed joint proposals and response measures for these key issues.

A meeting was held with the heads of seven cities and counties in the eastern region of Jeonnam Gwangju Metropolitan City to establish the Eastern Region Win-Win Council. Photo provided by Gwangyang City

In particular, the proposal to maintain the independence and expertise of the Yeosu Gwangyang Port Authority, which was suggested by Gwangyang City, was put forward in response to the government's ongoing deliberation over integrating the nation's four major port authorities (Busan, Incheon, Ulsan, and Yeosu Gwangyang). The council urged that the independence and expertise of the Yeosu Gwangyang Port Authority be guaranteed, and also called for the development of Yeosu and Gwangyang Ports as national strategic ports.

The Yeosu Gwangyang Port Authority is the only national public institution headquartered in the eastern region. Concerns have been raised that if the port authorities are integrated and the headquarters is relocated to another region, the expected impact of attracting and maintaining a public institution would disappear, and this could significantly affect the local industry and economy.

Park Seong-hyun, Mayor of Gwangyang, emphasized at the meeting, "The Yeosu and Gwangyang Ports have been the foundation for the growth of key regional industries, such as POSCO, the Yeosu Petrochemical Industrial Complex, and the Yulchon Industrial Complex. If the port authority is integrated and the headquarters moves elsewhere, it is inevitable that logistical and job support for local businesses, as well as major policy and budget allocations, will be deprioritized."

He added, "It is unreasonable to talk about attracting new public institutions when we cannot even keep the national public institution based in our region. The Yeosu Gwangyang Port Authority is a core institution that must be preserved, and the entire Jeonnam Gwangju Metropolitan City should pay attention and respond jointly."

The seven cities and counties in the eastern region officially called for an end to the integration of the four national port authorities, maintenance of the independence, expertise, and autonomous management system of the Yeosu Gwangyang Port Authority, development of a national strategic port to respond to changes in global supply chains, and expanded government support to strengthen port competitiveness, through the joint statement adopted on this day.

The joint statement will be delivered to relevant institutions such as the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, the National Assembly, and Jeonnam Gwangju Metropolitan City to actively publicize the shared position of the eastern region and suggest that it be reflected in government policy.

In addition, the participating heads of local governments agreed to go beyond merely delivering the statement and to jointly respond to the port authority integration plan by mobilizing media publicity and forming external alliances.

Gwangyang City will continue to work in close cooperation with other cities and counties in the eastern region to protect the competitiveness of Yeosu and Gwangyang Ports and the foundation of the local industry, and to promote balanced regional development and practical progress for the eastern region.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.