Jinju City Council Proposes Reconsideration of LH Split and Locating Korea Power Generation Headquarters in Jinju

Resolution Adopted at the 276th Regular Session with Participation of 22 Council Members
Council Urges Maintenance of Existing Institutions' Functions and Relocation of Second Phase Metropolitan Public Agencies to Jinju

The Jinju City Council in Gyeongnam has urged the government to reconsider the separation of functions within Korea Land & Housing Corporation (LH), to establish the headquarters of the integrated power generation entity "Korea Power Generation (provisional name)" in Jinju, and to concentrate public institutions slated for the second phase of relocation from the metropolitan area in Gyeongnam's Jinju Innovation City.

On the 17th, Jinju City Council adopted the "Resolution Opposing the Separation of LH and Calling for the Concentrated Relocation of the Korea Power Generation Headquarters and Secondary Metropolitan Public Institutions to Gyeongnam Innovation City (Jinju) for the Fulfillment of Balanced National Development" during the 2nd plenary session of the 1st regular meeting of the 276th session. The resolution was sponsored by Councilor Shin Hyunguk and supported by 22 council members.

[Photo by Jinju City Council] Jinju City Council adopted the "Resolution Opposing the Separation of LH and Urging the Concentrated Relocation of the Korea Electric Power Corporation Headquarters and Secondary Relocation of Public Institutions in the Seoul Metropolitan Area to Gyeongnam Innovation City (Jinju)," which was primarily proposed by council member Hyunguk Shin and supported by 22 other members, during the 2nd plenary session of the 1st regular meeting of the 276th assembly on the 17th.

Through the resolution, the city council stated that in future reforms of public institutions, the government should maintain the functions of organizations already relocated to innovation cities and thoroughly assess their impact on local communities.

Regarding LH, the city council argued that separating its functions would weaken the link between profits from development projects and resources for housing welfare initiatives, while also creating inefficiencies in organizational and administrative operations. Accordingly, the council called on the government to reconsider LH's organizational division and maintain the current integrated structure.

As for the power generation company reforms, the council suggested that if the five power generation companies are merged to launch "Korea Power Generation (provisional name)," the headquarters should be situated in Jinju Innovation City, utilizing the current Korea Southern Power headquarters.

The council explained that utilizing the existing office building would alleviate the burden of constructing a new building and minimize work disruptions that could arise during the integration process.

The council also requested that the functions of existing Jinju Innovation City-based institutions, such as the Korea Copyright Commission and Small and Medium Business Corporation partners, not be transferred to other regions.

Furthermore, the resolution included the opinion that, should a second phase of metropolitan public institution relocation proceed, agencies that could be linked to regional industries such as aerospace, defense, and bio should be placed in Jinju Innovation City.

Prior to adopting this resolution, the city council had actively engaged in government outreach regarding these issues. On the 10th, the proposal for integrating the power generation company headquarters and attracting public institutions for the second phase of relocation, suggested by Jinju City Council, was adopted by the Council of Mayors and Council Chairs of Cities and Counties in Gyeongnam.

On the 11th, Council Chair Park Mikyung also visited the National Assembly to deliver the relevant petition and staged a solo protest in front of the National Assembly and the Office of the President.

Jinju City Council plans to submit this petition to relevant organizations, including the government and the National Assembly.

However, the final decisions regarding the restructuring of LH's functions, the integration format and headquarters location for power generation companies, and the selection of target institutions and their relocation sites for the second phase of metropolitan public institution relocation, will be determined through government policies and consultations with relevant agencies. Therefore, it remains to be seen to what extent Jinju City Council's suggestions will influence the government's future restructuring and relocation policies for public institutions.

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