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The five Special Cities across the country (Yongin, Suwon, Goyang and Hwaseong in Gyeonggi Province, and Changwon in South Gyeongsang Province) have joined forces to secure substantive fiscal and administrative authority ahead of the Special Act on Support for Special Cities taking effect in June 2027.

Participants pose for a commemorative photo after the Council of Mayors of Korea’s Special Municipalities held its second regular meeting of 2026 at Everland in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, on the 12th. From left: Changwon Special City Mayor Kang Giyun, Hwaseong Special City Mayor Jeong Myeonggeun, Yongin Special City Mayor Lee Sangil, Goyang Special City Mayor Min Gyeongseon, and Suwon First Vice Mayor Kim Hyeonsu. Photo provided by Yongin City.

The Council of Special City Mayors of Korea held its second regular meeting of 2026 on the 12th at the Panda World education center at Everland in Cheoin-gu, Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, and discussed ways to expand the authority of Special Cities. Attendees included Yongin Special City Mayor Lee Sangil, Kang Giyun, mayor of Changwon Special City and chair of the council, Goyang Special City Mayor Min Gyeongseon, Hwaseong Special City Mayor Jeong Myeonggeun, and Kim Hyeonsu, first deputy mayor of Suwon Special City.

In his opening remarks, Mayor Lee Sangil said, "The five Special Cities joined forces to enact the special act, but for them to function as Special Cities in the true sense of the word, their substantive authority must be backed by commensurate fiscal resources and administrative powers." He emphasized that "clarifying the legal status of Special Cities is particularly urgent."

In his opening remarks, Mayor Lee Sangil said, "The five Special Cities joined forces to establish the Special Act on Support for Special Cities." He added, "The act is set to take effect next June, and we must speak out more forcefully to secure the authority needed in fiscal and administrative affairs."

He continued, "Above all, it is important to secure the legal status of Special Cities. It is unacceptable to argue that it would be difficult to amend the Local Autonomy Act to establish their legal status on the grounds that doing so would entail various administrative costs."

Yongin Special City Mayor Lee Sangil speaks at the second regular meeting of the Association of Special City Mayors of Korea for 2026, held on the 12th. Provided by Yongin City.

He added, "Special Cities must have authority befitting the name in the true sense of the word. Let us further explain and make the case for expanding adjustment and collection grants, and lay the institutional groundwork for Special Cities to carry out duties befitting their status."

The current Local Autonomy Act designates large cities with populations of at least 1 million as Special Cities, but does not list them as a distinct type of local government. Mayor Lee said, "It is unacceptable to argue that it would be difficult to amend the Local Autonomy Act to grant them legal status on the grounds that doing so would entail administrative costs." He added, "We must actively make the case for expanding adjustment and collection grants and lay the institutional groundwork for Special Cities to carry out duties befitting their status."

The attendees also discussed transferring key administrative functions so that cities can make their own decisions on local issues, and raising the ranks of deputy mayors and district chiefs to expand local authority over organizational structures. The council considered jointly proposing four issues to the Minister of the Interior and Safety: establishing legal status, granting special fiscal provisions, transferring key administrative functions, and expanding local authority over organizational structures.

Yongin Special City Mayor Lee Sang-il speaks at the second regular meeting of the Korea Special City Mayors' Council in 2026, held on the 12th. Provided by Yongin City.

The council also considered conducting joint research on the legal status and special fiscal provisions of Special Cities, as well as holding a policy debate at the National Assembly. Other topics included a coordinated response to discussions on expanding the designation of Special Cities outside the Seoul metropolitan area, the handover of newly transferred administrative functions, and institutional training for residents and public officials.

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