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What's in the Gwangju-Jeonnam Metropolitan City Special Act? ... 312 Articles and 300 Special Provisions
[Gwangju = Newsis] Reporter Song Chang-heon – The draft of the Special Act, which serves as the legal foundation for the administrative integration of Gwangju and Jeonnam, has been completed. The draft consists of approximately 300 articles, including a significant number of "special provisions" (exceptions) that form the core of the legislation.
Following working-level discussions, Gwangju City and Jeonnam Province finalized the draft on the 15th. The plan is to have it adopted as an official party platform by the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) later this month following internal discussions, government consultations, and public hearings. It is expected to be tabled during the February extraordinary session of the National Assembly, with a target passing date of February 28.
If the bill clears the National Assembly, a unified head of local government will be elected during the June 3 local elections, leading to the official launch of the tentatively named "Gwangju-Jeonnam Metropolitan City" on July 1.
8 Parts, 23 Chapters, 312 Articles... Similar to Daejeon-Chungnam Special Act The tentative title of the legislation is the "Special Act on the Establishment of Gwangju-Jeonnam Metropolitan City," consisting of 8 parts, 23 chapters, 312 articles, and 300 special provisions. This structure is slightly larger in scale than the "Special Act on the Establishment of Daejeon-Chungnam Metropolitan City" (296 articles) introduced last October.
The Special Act explicitly defines the "Gwangju Spirit" as its core purpose. Article 1 of the General Provisions states: "The Metropolitan City shall be established based on the Gwangju Spirit of democracy, human rights, justice, and peace—achieved together by Gwangju and Jeonnam—inheriting the thousand-year history of the Jeolla region."
Furthermore, it stipulates the goal of contributing to "substantial local decentralization and balanced national growth through the harmonious development of global future high-tech industries—such as AI, energy, and semiconductors—alongside agriculture and fisheries."
The 8 parts cover:
- Strengthening of local autonomy and educational autonomy.
- AI, energy, and cultural capitals.
- Improving the quality of life for citizens.
- Supplementary and penal provisions.
The 23 chapters detail the establishment of the Metropolitan City and Support Committee, transfer of central authority, deregulation, and the strengthening of the local council, administration, finance, police, and audit committee. It also includes development plans for high-tech strategic industries, culture, tourism, agriculture, climate/environment, global investment, spatial planning, and social safety nets.
Named "Gwangju-Jeonnam Metropolitan City" with Trillions in Financial Support While the tentative name is "Gwangju-Jeonnam Metropolitan City," it can be changed in the future based on council opinions in accordance with the Local Autonomy Act. To minimize administrative confusion and costs, the current city/county/district (Si/Gun/Gu) systems and local tax structures will remain as they are, and existing government buildings in Gwangju and Jeonnam will continue to be utilized.
A "Support Committee" chaired by the Prime Minister will be established to systematically assist the launch and settlement of the city. Additionally, the authority, organization, and budgets of special local administrative agencies—covering SMEs, environment, employment, and labor—will be transferred collectively to the Metropolitan City.
A particularly striking aspect of the bill is the unprecedented financial support. This includes an additional 12% allocation of the total ordinary share tax for 20 years, along with portions of national taxes (such as VAT) to be provided as "Integrated Economic Support Funds" and "Integrated Special (Education) Financial Stabilization Funds."
To ensure fiscal stability, a "separate account" will be established within the Special Account for Balanced National Development. Various safeguards are included, such as:
- Applying the Jeonnam-standard weighting (300/100) for local consumption tax.
- Exempting large-scale projects from preliminary feasibility studies and investment reviews for 10 years.
- Allowing the Metropolitan City to adjust tax rates and grant tax exemptions via ordinance.
Other special provisions include the establishment of specialized AI and hydrogen clusters, a requirement for the Mayor’s consent when appointing the Metropolitan Police Chief, the establishment of an integrated fire department, the founding of gifted schools, and the creation of an integrated transportation account. If realized, Gwangju and Jeonnam expect an annual increase in revenue amounting to trillions of won.
Remaining Procedures Until the Launch A legislative public hearing by the DPK was held on the 15th. On the 16th, Prime Minister Kim Min-seok is scheduled to directly explain the government's stance on the Special Act. On the same day, a "Win-Win Agreement" meeting between mayors and county governors will be held, along with the inauguration of a Pan-Sido Citizen Committee for Administrative Integration.
Regional public hearings will continue from the 19th to the 31st, with opinions from local councils and residents being gathered through February. The bill is expected to be proposed as a DPK party platform by the end of this month, with a final vote in the National Assembly anticipated for February 28.
Once the Special Act passes, preparations for the Gwangju-Jeonnam Metropolitan City will begin in earnest in March. Following the election of the new mayor in June, the integrated local government will officially launch on July 1—marking the reunion of Gwangju and Jeonnam 40 years after their administrative separation.
◎ NEWSIS, goodchang@newsis.com
Source Text
Date
2026.01.22
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According to Newsis,
[Gwangju = Newsis] Reporter Song Chang-heon – The draft of the Special Act, which serves as the legal foundation for the administrative integration of Gwangju and Jeonnam, has been completed. The draft consists of approximately 300 articles, including a significant number of "special provisions" (exceptions) that form the core of the legislation.
Following working-level discussions, Gwangju City and Jeonnam Province finalized the draft on the 15th. The plan is to have it adopted as an official party platform by the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) later this month following internal discussions, government consultations, and public hearings. It is expected to be tabled during the February extraordinary session of the National Assembly, with a target passing date of February 28.
If the bill clears the National Assembly, a unified head of local government will be elected during the June 3 local elections, leading to the official launch of the tentatively named "Gwangju-Jeonnam Metropolitan City" on July 1.
8 Parts, 23 Chapters, 312 Articles... Similar to Daejeon-Chungnam Special Act The tentative title of the legislation is the "Special Act on the Establishment of Gwangju-Jeonnam Metropolitan City," consisting of 8 parts, 23 chapters, 312 articles, and 300 special provisions. This structure is slightly larger in scale than the "Special Act on the Establishment of Daejeon-Chungnam Metropolitan City" (296 articles) introduced last October.
The Special Act explicitly defines the "Gwangju Spirit" as its core purpose. Article 1 of the General Provisions states: "The Metropolitan City shall be established based on the Gwangju Spirit of democracy, human rights, justice, and peace—achieved together by Gwangju and Jeonnam—inheriting the thousand-year history of the Jeolla region."
Furthermore, it stipulates the goal of contributing to "substantial local decentralization and balanced national growth through the harmonious development of global future high-tech industries—such as AI, energy, and semiconductors—alongside agriculture and fisheries."
The 8 parts cover:
- Strengthening of local autonomy and educational autonomy.
- AI, energy, and cultural capitals.
- Improving the quality of life for citizens.
- Supplementary and penal provisions.
The 23 chapters detail the establishment of the Metropolitan City and Support Committee, transfer of central authority, deregulation, and the strengthening of the local council, administration, finance, police, and audit committee. It also includes development plans for high-tech strategic industries, culture, tourism, agriculture, climate/environment, global investment, spatial planning, and social safety nets.
Named "Gwangju-Jeonnam Metropolitan City" with Trillions in Financial Support While the tentative name is "Gwangju-Jeonnam Metropolitan City," it can be changed in the future based on council opinions in accordance with the Local Autonomy Act. To minimize administrative confusion and costs, the current city/county/district (Si/Gun/Gu) systems and local tax structures will remain as they are, and existing government buildings in Gwangju and Jeonnam will continue to be utilized.
A "Support Committee" chaired by the Prime Minister will be established to systematically assist the launch and settlement of the city. Additionally, the authority, organization, and budgets of special local administrative agencies—covering SMEs, environment, employment, and labor—will be transferred collectively to the Metropolitan City.
A particularly striking aspect of the bill is the unprecedented financial support. This includes an additional 12% allocation of the total ordinary share tax for 20 years, along with portions of national taxes (such as VAT) to be provided as "Integrated Economic Support Funds" and "Integrated Special (Education) Financial Stabilization Funds."
To ensure fiscal stability, a "separate account" will be established within the Special Account for Balanced National Development. Various safeguards are included, such as:
- Applying the Jeonnam-standard weighting (300/100) for local consumption tax.
- Exempting large-scale projects from preliminary feasibility studies and investment reviews for 10 years.
- Allowing the Metropolitan City to adjust tax rates and grant tax exemptions via ordinance.
Other special provisions include the establishment of specialized AI and hydrogen clusters, a requirement for the Mayor’s consent when appointing the Metropolitan Police Chief, the establishment of an integrated fire department, the founding of gifted schools, and the creation of an integrated transportation account. If realized, Gwangju and Jeonnam expect an annual increase in revenue amounting to trillions of won.
Remaining Procedures Until the Launch A legislative public hearing by the DPK was held on the 15th. On the 16th, Prime Minister Kim Min-seok is scheduled to directly explain the government's stance on the Special Act. On the same day, a "Win-Win Agreement" meeting between mayors and county governors will be held, along with the inauguration of a Pan-Sido Citizen Committee for Administrative Integration.
Regional public hearings will continue from the 19th to the 31st, with opinions from local councils and residents being gathered through February. The bill is expected to be proposed as a DPK party platform by the end of this month, with a final vote in the National Assembly anticipated for February 28.
Once the Special Act passes, preparations for the Gwangju-Jeonnam Metropolitan City will begin in earnest in March. Following the election of the new mayor in June, the integrated local government will officially launch on July 1—marking the reunion of Gwangju and Jeonnam 40 years after their administrative separation.
◎ NEWSIS, goodchang@newsis.com
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Source: Newsis (January 15, 2026)