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Busan–Gyeongnam Administrative Integration Public Forum Held for Eastern Region Citizens… Public Discourse Begins in Earnest

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Busan Metropolitan City (Mayor Park Heong-joon) and the Busan–Gyeongnam Administrative Integration Public Deliberation Committee (Chairperson Jeon Ho-hwan, hereinafter “the Committee”) announced that the “Busan–Gyeongnam Administrative Integration Forum for Citizens (Eastern Region),” held yesterday (July 15) at the Busan Women's Center Auditorium, was successfully concluded.

This forum was attended by approximately 150 people, including residents of Busan’s eastern region (Nam-gu, Haeundae-gu, Suyeong-gu, and Gijang-gun), as well as relevant officials. Chairperson Park Dae-geun of the Busan–Gyeongnam Administrative Integration Special Committee of the Busan Metropolitan Council and Chairperson Heo Yong-bok of the Gyeongnam–Busan Administrative Integration Special Committee of the Gyeongnam Provincial Council were also present.

The forum was organized to collect diverse opinions from academia, the business community, the city council, and experts.

At the forum, Committee Spokesperson Park Jae-yul gave a presentation on “The Current Status and Direction of the Busan–Gyeongnam Administrative Integration,” explaining the necessity of administrative integration and the future vision for integration between Busan and Gyeongnam.

The designated panel discussion was chaired by Committee Co-Chairperson Jeon Ho-hwan, former president of Pusan National University. Panelists included Professor Seo Jae-ho of Pukyong National University, Councilmember Lee Seung-woo of the Busan Metropolitan Council, Vice President Jung Hyun-min of the Busan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Professor Ha Hye-soo of Kyungpook National University.

• ●Professor Seo Jae-ho discussed the prerequisites for successful administrative integration.

• ●Councilmember Lee Seung-woo spoke on the integration process and its necessity.

• ●Vice President Jung Hyun-min addressed potential obstacles and key factors.

• ●Professor Ha Hye-soo presented both opposing and supporting arguments related to the integration.

Particularly, the forum highlighted the importance of fostering regional consensus and securing substantial authority to ensure successful administrative integration.

Meanwhile, the citizen forums will continue through the end of July in both Busan and Gyeongnam. The fourth Busan-based forum is scheduled to take place on July 22 at 2:00 PM at the Modullak Theater in the Busan Library, targeting residents of the western region (Buk-gu, Saha-gu, Gangseo-gu, and Sasang-gu).

As the forums near completion, the Committee plans to expand communication with citizens through online and offline channels and subsequently conduct a public awareness survey to collect citizens’ opinions on the administrative integration of Busan and Gyeongnam.

Co-Chairperson Jeon Ho-hwan stated, “I sincerely thank the many citizens who participated in the forum despite the increasingly hot weather,” and added, “These citizen forums are not only about the future of Busan and Gyeongnam but also a venue to discuss the future of the Republic of Korea. As Busan and Gyeongnam are key regions driving the country’s economic growth, we must work together to achieve sustainable development.”