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Busan–Gyeongnam Administrative Integration Working-Level Council Launched, Kickoff Meeting Held Today (Jan. 19)

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Busan Metropolitan City and Gyeongsangnam-do announced that they held the kickoff meeting of the Busan–Gyeongnam Administrative Integration Working-Level Council at 11:30 a.m. today (the 19th) in the central conference room of the Gyeongsangnam-do Provincial Government Complex, officially commencing its activities.

The working-level council was established to coordinate practical issues arising between Busan and Gyeongnam during the process of pursuing integration, and to explore joint response strategies with central government ministries and the National Assembly regarding the transfer of authorities necessary to secure genuine local autonomy.

The council is co-chaired by the Directors General of the Planning and Coordination Offices of Busan Metropolitan City and Gyeongsangnam-do, and consists of a total of 10 members, including senior policy advisors, directors general of administrative management, and researchers from metropolitan and provincial research institutes. It will continue to operate until the enactment of a special act on administrative integration.

At the first meeting held on this day, participants discussed the administrative integration roadmap by conducting comprehensive reviews of key matters, including the official positions of the two local governments, the core contents to be included in a joint proposal to the central government, the justification for integration, and plans for a residents’ referendum to sufficiently reflect the opinions of citizens and residents.

Going forward, Busan Metropolitan City and Gyeongsangnam-do plan to keep the working-level council in continuous operation, closely coordinating policies between the two local governments and concentrating administrative efforts to ensure that administrative integration proceeds in a manner that delivers the greatest practical benefits to residents.

Kim Gyeong-tae, Director General of the Planning and Coordination Office of Busan Metropolitan City, said, “The launch of this working-level council is highly meaningful in that it has secured practical driving force for Busan and Gyeongnam to advance as one community,” adding, “We will continue to make every effort to pursue integration by sufficiently coordinating the positions of both local governments.”