The government has officially launched a support system aimed at ensuring the successful establishment and ultra-regional innovative growth of the Gwangju-Jeonnam Integrated Special City. A total of 5 trillion won in financial incentives is set to be provided in 2027.
On August 31, the first meeting of the Gwangju-Jeonnam Integrated Special City Support Committee was held at the Government Seoul Office, chaired by the Prime Minister, where the committee's operational rules and the financial support plan for 2027 were reviewed and approved.
The Gwangju-Jeonnam Integrated Special City Support Committee is a key body that deliberates on major policies to support practical local decentralization and balanced national growth.
Chaired by the Prime Minister, the committee consists of 39 members, including 19 government officials, the mayor of Gwangju-Jeonnam Integrated Special City, the superintendent of the integrated special city education office, and private experts in urban development, local decentralization, and educational autonomy.
Attending the inaugural meeting were Prime Minister Han Seung-soo, 16 government officials, Mayor Min Hyung-bae of Gwangju-Jeonnam Integrated Special City, Superintendent Kim Dae-jung, and 15 private committee members.
The committee reviewed the operational rules necessary for future meetings and discussed the financial incentive support plan, which has been a major issue since the launch of the integrated special city.
The core of the plan is the total financial support of 5 trillion won for 2027.
Of this amount, a new 'Integrated Local Government Support Fund' of 4.35 trillion won will be established. The integrated special city mayor will manage this fund, which will be used to enhance the region's competitiveness through projects aimed at boosting growth potential, improving living conditions, and fostering the semiconductor industry in the southwestern region.
The remaining 650 billion won will be allocated in connection with the operations of special local administrative agencies transferred to the Gwangju-Jeonnam Integrated Special City.
The establishment and operation of the Integrated Local Government Support Fund will be included in the 'Special Act for the Establishment of Gwangju-Jeonnam Integrated Special City.' Once the legal basis is established, the special city will undergo annual evaluations of the fund's management.
The government aims for this financial support to serve as a foundation for the region to secure its own growth potential and enhance the competitiveness of the ultra-regional economic zone, rather than merely covering integration costs.
Prime Minister Han Seung-soo stated, "We have finalized the financial support plan of up to 5 trillion won annually, which the government promised during the integration of metropolitan local governments in January, and it will be reflected in the 2027 government budget."
He also urged relevant ministries, including the Ministry of Planning and Finance and the Ministry of Interior and Safety, to actively explore additional support measures, emphasizing the government's responsibility for the success of the integrated special city.
Mayor Min Hyung-bae expressed gratitude for the government's support and stated his intention to make the integrated special city a leading model for region-led growth.
Mayor Min said, "The integration of Gwangju-Jeonnam is a leading model of the 'Five Extremes and Three Specials' national agenda of the Lee Jae-myung government, and we will fulfill our responsibility for region-led growth by achieving clear results."
He added, "We will gather a wide range of opinions from experts and citizens to ensure that the government financial incentives are used appropriately and serve as a foundation for regional development."
With the basic framework for large-scale financial support now established, attention will turn to the specific allocation of the 5 trillion won and the selection of projects.
In particular, how the 4.35 trillion won from the Integrated Local Government Support Fund will be distributed for balanced regional development, industrial promotion, and improvement of living conditions is expected to be a key task that will influence the early achievements of the integrated special city.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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