JEOLLABUK-DO < invest Korea

According to Yonhap News,

President Yoon Suk Yeol vowed to provide full support for the development of North Jeolla Province as it gained the status of a special self-governing province on Thursday.

With the new status, which was established under a special law in December 2022, the southwestern province will gain more autonomy over policy decisions, especially in the areas of agriculture, the environment, personnel and finance, with the central government in a supporting role.

Other regions with the same status are Jeju, Sejong and Gangwon Province.

"North Jeolla is a place with tremendous potential," Yoon said during a ceremony launching the special self-governing province at Sori Arts Center in Jeonju, 192 kilometers south of Seoul. The ceremony was attended by some 2,000 people, including North Jeolla Gov. Kim Kwan-young, local mayors, ruling party and opposition lawmakers, and local residents.

"From this moment on, North Jeolla will be transformed completely in all areas. North Jeolla's strengths and characteristics will be revived ever more clearly," Yoon said.

The self-governing province has adopted as its vision "a global city for life and economy," with the special law outlining plans for the establishment of a megacity comprising Gunsan, Gimje and Buan, a tourism belt in the east, and the launch of an agricultural and food wellness platform.

Yoon noted the projects were among his campaign pledges and promised the government's full support for the establishment of an agricultural industrial zone, a rechargeable battery sector and an international K-pop school.

"The government and I will do our best so that the launch of the North Jeolla Special Self-Governing Province becomes a big opportunity and blessing to all residents," he said.

Achieving balanced development across regions has been a key policy goal of the Yoon administration, with the president stressing the importance of regional growth for national growth.

"When all regions of the country develop evenly, we can resolve unnecessary and excessive competition and fundamentally solve the problem of population decline and the low birthrate," he said.

hague@yna.co.kr

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Source: Yonhap News (January 18, 2024)