First Official Meeting of Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongnam Leaders ... "Ultra-wide Cooperation" Continues in Ninth Term

The governors and mayors of Gyeongnam Province, Busan, and Ulsan have finally held their first official meeting since the launch of the ninth term of local administrations.

On September 8, Park Wansu, Governor of Gyeongnam Province; Jeon Jaesu, Mayor of Busan; and Kim Sanguk, Mayor of Ulsan, convened the 4th Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam Policy Council at the Western Chosun Busan Hotel.

During the closed-door meeting, the three regional leaders discussed major issues facing the Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam area, the ultra-wide area cooperation system, joint development strategies, and administrative integration. Following the discussions, they adopted the "Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam Ultra-wide Area Cooperation Joint Declaration."

Kim Sangwook, Mayor of Ulsan (far left), Jeon Jaesu, Mayor of Busan, and Park Wansu, Governor of Gyeongnam Province, are taking a commemorative photo together at the 4th Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam Policy Council held at the Westin Chosun Busan Hotel.
[Photo by Gyeongnam Province]

According to the joint declaration, the three regions will establish an ultra-wide area cooperation system for the Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam area, aiming to overcome the Seoul metropolitan area-centered structure and promote mutually-beneficial development. To achieve this, they will launch a permanent consultative body.

Additionally, the regions will jointly develop a six-year ultra-wide area development strategy to identify and nurture new high-tech industries and key projects of the future for Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongnam. They will work together to foster core growth engines in advanced shipbuilding and shipping, innovative manufacturing for future mobility, aerospace and defense, next-generation nuclear power plants and energy, and to build an ecosystem for industrial innovation across the ultra-wide area.

In particular, efforts will be made to strengthen ultra-wide cooperation in the southeastern region of Korea in connection with the central government’s second phase of public institution relocations. Through close collaboration, the regions will advocate for the allocation of national funding for key cooperation projects such as regional transportation networks and industrial advancements, as well as for the transfer and expansion of central government authority and fiscal resources to the local level.

Specifically, the regions will concentrate on building a metropolitan railway network to connect Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongnam as a unified living and economic zone. They will unite efforts to expedite the development of the Busan-Yangsan-Ulsan metropolitan railway and the Southeastern Circular Metropolitan Railway to establish a "one-hour living zone" for the region.

With the new Gadeokdo Airport as the hub, the regions will strengthen global logistics and maritime networks and cooperate for the successful hosting of international events such as the UN Ocean Conference and the Ulsan International Garden Expo. They also plan to secure future growth engines through the rapid enactment of the Special Act for Aerospace Convergence Cities and the creation of a quantum cluster, while at the same time broadening partnerships with the southern coastal region to elevate the area into a global ultra-wide economic zone.

Gyeongsangnam-do Governor Park Wansu is presenting his opinions at the "4th Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam Policy Council" held at the Western Chosun Busan Hotel. [Photo by Gyeongsangnam-do]

According to Gyeongnam Province, during the meeting, Governor Park Wansu stated, "Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongnam may be separated administratively, but we are already one living area and economic zone. For the sustainable development of our region and the future of Korea, it is essential for the three areas to join forces."

He continued, "In the eighth term, we promoted wide-area cooperation projects through the Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam Ultra-wide Economic Alliance and generated tangible outcomes. We must continue those achievements and, even as administrative boundaries remain, work together to find answers and solutions for the residents and citizens."

Ulsan Mayor Kim Sangwook (far left), Busan Mayor Jeon Jaesu, and Gyeongnam Governor Park Wansu are holding up the 'Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam Ultra-Wide Cooperation Joint Declaration' adopted at the 4th Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam Policy Council. [Photo by Gyeongnam Province]

He added, "Since the eighth term, Gyeongnam has voiced the opinion of creating a united autonomous entity with a status and level of self-governance comparable to the Seoul metropolitan area through administrative integration. While Busan and Ulsan may have different perspectives, we can reach new conclusions through discussion and cooperation."

He further stated, "Even if the name of the Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam Economic Alliance changes, I believe that, at this moment, it is the most desirable option. Efforts for wide-area cooperation and joint development in the region are absolutely necessary."

He concluded, "I hope that today’s discussion will provide the people and citizens with an initial agreement on ultra-wide cooperation and offer direction for the path ahead."

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