Held on the 31st at Gyeongju HICO under the theme "From Jeonnam-Gwangju to Gyeongbuk-Daegu: A New Path for the Local Era"

Focused discussions on integration preparation tasks, including expert presentations, resident participation, autonomy, and balanced development 

Gyeongsangbuk-do is incorporating the launch experience of the Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City into its preparations for the Gyeongbuk-Daegu administrative integration. On the 31st, the provincial government hosted the "2026 East-West Future Forum" at the Gyeongju Hico (Gyeongju Hwabaek Convention Center), discussing the changes that integration will bring across industries and jobs, transportation, medical care, education, resident participation, and balanced development.

Held under the theme "From Jeonnam-Gwangju to Gyeongbuk-Daegu: A New Path for the Local Era," the forum was attended by Gyeongsangbuk-do Governor Lee Cheol-woo, Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City Mayor Min Hyung-bae, Kukmin Ilbo CEO Kim Kyung-ho, and regional experts.

The East-West Future Forum began in Suncheon in 2023 and has since been held in Seoul and Muan, Jeollanam-namdo, continuing as an event themed around Yeongho-nam (Honam and Yeongnam regions) coexistence and regional cooperation.

Two presentation sessions followed. Professor Jung Ki-young of Sehan University spoke on the expected effects of the Jeonnam-Gwangju administrative integration and new directions for balanced national development, presenting growth potential and tasks following integration. Professor Jung explained that connecting Gwangju’s urban and high-tech industries with Jeollanam-do’s energy and agri-bio industries, alongside expansive spatial resources, can create a new growth foundation. He further suggested linking industrial, transportation, and logistics cooperation to investment and jobs, while backing it up evenly with authority and financial resources to spread achievements across the entire region.

Professor Emeritus Seo Min-gyo of Daegu University delivered a presentation titled “Recent Administrative Integration Discussions and Issues - Implications from the TK (Daegu-Gyeongbuk) Administrative Integration Discussion Experience.” Drawing on the discussion experiences of Gyeongbuk-do and Daegu, Professor Seo proposed ways to reflect residents' opinions in policies, safeguard the authority and autonomy of cities, counties, and districts, and outline preparation tasks for mutual regional growth.

The panel discussion featured Choi Deok-gyu, Member of the Gyeongsangbuk-do Provincial Council; Park Chang-seok, Member of the Daegu Metropolitan City Council; Ryu Hyeong-cheol, Head of the Future Strategy Research Division at the Gyeongbuk Institute; and Kim Su-sung, Director of the Policy Simulation Center at the Daegu Policy Research Institute. The panel addressed methods to expand the benefits of integration throughout the region, tasks connecting residents' living spheres, directions for industrial, transport, and university cooperation, and measures to guarantee regional autonomy.

Gyeongsangbuk-do Governor Lee Cheol-woo emphasized, "Breaking away from the concentration in the metropolitan area, balanced development, and administrative integration between regional local governments will be turning points to open a new local era." He added, "In the era of AI and robotics, AI application and management industries alongside culture, arts, and tourism will be core growth engines." He urged, "Let us make local regions the new growth center of South Korea by creating new industries and jobs linked with cultural arts, agri-food, and tourism resources."

Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City Mayor Min Hyung-bae stressed, "Administrative integration between regional local governments is essential for local regions to leap forward as new centers of growth." He noted, "While the reintegration of Gwangju and Jeonnam is a natural process, how we overcome post-integration conflicts and tasks will determine the success or failure of balanced national growth." He concluded, "I hope Daegu and Gyeongbuk also open a new path for the local era through integration, and we will work together for regional cooperation and win-win development."

[ⓒ Global Economic Times. 무단전재-재배포 금지]