South Korea's Gyeongnam: Space Era and Administrative Integration

Gyeongnam is poised for transformative growth through administrative integration with Busan, aiming for balanced regional development and enhanced global competitiveness.

### The Future of Busan-Gyeongnam Administrative Integration: Opportunities and Challenges
* 🏙 The discussion on administrative integration of Busan and Gyeongnam is driven by the need to address regional imbalances, with **over half of South Korea's population and key economic indicators concentrated in the metropolitan area**.
* 📊 Economic disparities are stark, with the metropolitan area accounting for **12-15% of the national territory** but **over 50% of the population and key economic indicators**.
* 👥 The youth population under 30 is heavily migrating to the metropolitan area, with only about **4.7% of that population leaving the area**.
* 🏗 The proposed integration aims to create a large city that can **compete with the metropolitan area**, reduce redundant supply and investment, and enhance economic efficiency through **economies of scale**.
* 🗳 A public opinion survey is planned to gather residents' views, with the aim of **forming an integrated metropolitan government by 2026**.
* 🏭 The expected benefits of integration include achieving **balanced national development**, reducing **redundant supply**, enhancing **administrative convenience**, and maximizing **regional strengths in industries**.
* 🔍 Challenges include **revising legal systems**, **establishing special provisions**, and **addressing concerns about regional disparities**.
* 🛠 The integration process will involve forming an **expert advisory group**, conducting a **public opinion survey**, and ultimately enacting a **special law** to establish the integrated local government.

### Challenges and Strategies for Administrative Integration in Busan and Gyeongnam
* 🏙 The discussion focuses on the competitiveness diagnosis of the Northeast Asia megacity, highlighting **vulnerabilities in job quality, finance, and research and development innovation activities**.
* 🏭 The main industries in Busan and Gyeongnam are shipbuilding, machinery manufacturing, and other transportation-related services, with a clear need to **diversify related industries through intermediary-centered sectors**.
* 🤝 Administrative integration is seen as a crucial step towards addressing the **first-tier system in the metropolitan area** and promoting **substantial ultra-regional cooperation** between Busan and Gyeongnam.
* 🗳 Public opinion polls show **14 regions in favor of administrative integration, with no region opposing it**, but there are concerns about the **level of support once details are revealed**.
* 🎓 The integration should also focus on **enhancing innovation inputs**, **strengthening job supply and demand**, and **expanding megacity infrastructure**, including **fostering gatekeepers through a hub university**.
* 💰 Economic benefits are a key driver for integration, as both Busan and Gyeongnam are experiencing significant declines in city and provincial taxes due to **population decreases** and **weakening manufacturing sectors**.
* 🏗 The proposed integration models include a **special metropolitan city** or a **special autonomous province**, with considerations for the **naming and governance structures** to ensure **local acceptance**.
* 🗣 Strong leadership, active communication with citizens, and public discourse processes are identified as **crucial for successful administrative integration**, with a need to **bridge the gap between central government support and local opposition**.

### Challenges and Opportunities for Administrative Integration in Busan and Gyeongnam
* 🏭 The manufacturing sector in Busan and Gyeongnam has been declining since 2010, with a **significant impact** on the region's **economy and population**.
* 👴 Demographic changes, including an **aging population** and **youth exodus to metropolitan areas**, are contributing to the **decline of the manufacturing industry** in the region.
* 🏗 To revitalize the economy, experts suggest developing new industries such as **robotics, ICT, biohealthcare, and tourism**, while also **strengthening the service sector**.
* 🤝 Administrative integration between Busan and Gyeongnam is seen as a **potential solution to address economic challenges and promote regional development**.
* 🌐 The combined economic scale of Busan and Gyeongnam accounts for about **10.2% of the country's total GRDP**, making it the **largest economic combination among regions outside the metropolitan area**.
* 👥 Public officials and citizens have concerns about administrative integration, including **potential job loss** and **reduced service quality**.
* 🤔 Experts emphasize the importance of **communication, internal consensus, and realistic solutions** to address these concerns and promote integration.
* 👩 The discussion highlights the need for a **long-term vision and strategic planning** to ensure the region's **sustainable development and competitiveness**.

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South Korea's New Space Era and Gyeongnam's Transformation

Nuriho's launch has sparked public interest in South Korea's space industry, with 80% supporting the establishment of a space agency.

Gyeongnam is at the forefront, housing 62% of aerospace component companies and 29 leading firms in Sacheon.

The upcoming space agency, set to launch in 2023, aims to oversee the aerospace sector and drive the country's space economy, while Gyeongnam is also evolving into a hub for high-tech industries and global talent.

Discussions on Administrative Integration in Busan and Gyeongnam

The process involves three discussions to gather residents' opinions before conducting a public opinion survey on administrative integration.

The aim is to understand the intentions of the residents and provide information, with the integration decision depending on the survey results.

The discussions will explore the pros and cons of integration, its obstacles, and expected benefits, with a total of three sessions planned.

Addressing Regional Imbalance and Population Decline in South Korea

The concentration of population in metropolitan areas is causing national crises, leading to low birth rates and population decline.

The South Korean government has implemented a strong cooperation support strategy since 2021 to promote balanced regional development and address these issues.

Gyeongnam Province is advocating for administrative integration with Busan and Ulsan to create a regional hub, achieve economies of scale, and effectively respond to local challenges.

Framework for Continuous Integration of Local Governments

The continuous integration of local governments is aimed at promoting development that suits regional conditions and could make the area the third-largest local government in the nation.

Successful examples of administrative integration, like Changwon City and Cheongju City, highlight the importance of resident involvement and public opinion in the process.

The proposed implementation process includes gathering resident opinions, forming an expert advisory group, conducting public discussions, and ultimately holding a referendum to establish the integrated local government by 2026.

Factors Influencing Regional Growth in South Korea

Seoul's growth is contrasted with slower-growing areas like Busan and Gyeongnam, influenced by population, demographics, education, and job availability.

The specialization in science and engineering personnel has increased from 2010 to 2020, highlighting the importance of core personnel for regional industries.

The role of regional gatekeepers, particularly national universities, is crucial for knowledge transfer and innovation, while metropolitan cooperation is deemed necessary for effective integration and development.

Competitiveness Diagnosis of Northeast Asia Megacity

The document highlights the urgent need for new approaches to address the poor competitiveness of the Northeast Asia megacity, focusing on vulnerabilities in job quality, finance, and research and development.

The integration of administrative districts is expected to improve infrastructure and enhance innovation inputs, job supply and demand, and megacity infrastructure.

The specialization of industries in Busan and Gyeongnam, particularly in shipbuilding and machinery, emphasizes the importance of nurturing intermediary industries for structural advancement and regional diversification.

The Role of Local Councils in Administrative Integration

Gyeongnam Provincial Assembly member Woo Gi-soo emphasizes the need for administrative integration to address regional economic challenges and promote balanced development.

The current special alliance's indirect representation and rotating leadership have led to inefficiencies and unclear accountability in decision-making.

Woo Gi-soo highlights the importance of unified opinions from local governments and conducting surveys to gauge support for administrative integration, while also acknowledging the complexities of reaching a consensus in the political arena.

Challenges of Administrative Integration in Metropolitan Areas

There are currently no legal frameworks to support administrative integration at the metropolitan level, making it difficult for local governments to promote these initiatives.

Political opposition, particularly from members of parliament and local civil servants, has led to failed attempts at integration in cities like Daegu and Gyeongbuk.

The role of local council members is crucial in conveying residents' opinions, and a unified approach is needed to achieve successful administrative integration.

Administrative Integration of Daegu and Gyeongbuk

The abolition of the special union has led to a need for administrative integration, with the opinions of local government heads and council members being crucial.

The research unit formed to address the integration produced a report in five months, proposing solutions and exploring the possibility of a joint administrative body.

The discussion has highlighted the importance of the name and structure of the new entity, with concerns raised about the potential power dynamics between Daegu and Gyeongbuk.

Special Treatment and Integration in Daegu

The citizens of Daegu are unhappy with the perceived special treatment for the city and the metropolitan area, feeling that it is unjust.

There are discussions about changing the Daegu Metropolitan Council's name to a special metropolitan city and transitioning to a city-county system.

The importance of strong leadership, citizen consultation, and active communication is emphasized in seeking solutions for integration and addressing opposition.

The Economic Challenges and Decline in Busan, Gyeongnam, and Ulsan

The region is experiencing a significant decline in city and provincial taxes, population, and the manufacturing sector since 2015.

The aging population and exodus of young people seeking service jobs are contributing to the weakening of the manufacturing industry.

To address these challenges, there is a need for collaboration, research on mutual understanding, and the development of new industries for regional revival.

Revitalizing Gyeongnam: The Need for New Industries and Collaboration

The Gyeongnam area is primarily focused on automotive, shipbuilding, and machinery industries, but there is a need to develop new sectors like robotics, fuel cells, and biohealthcare for revitalization.

The local government should take the lead in restructuring the industrial landscape, as seen in successful regional collaborations in places like Germany and the U.

Close collaboration between Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongnam is essential for fostering new industries and improving service sector accessibility through integrated transportation networks.

The Urgent Crisis of Population Decline in Rural Areas

The population decline in rural areas is a pressing issue, with the capital region's expansion potentially exacerbating the problem.

Proactive measures and regional integration are essential to establish economic power and attract people.

The ongoing conflicts between cities like Busan and Gyeongnam highlight the need for internal consensus and mutual concessions to address the common challenges they face.

Addressing Internal Gaps for Regional Integration

The eastern region of Gyeongnam has a lower proportion of elderly pensions compared to the national average, while the western region shows a significant disparity.

There is a high population and business relocation between Busan and Gyeongnam, indicating strong economic integration.

The combined GRDP of Busan and Gyeongnam accounts for 10.

2% of the country's total, making it the largest economic combination among regions outside the metropolitan area.

The Urgency of Integration and Cooperation

There is a pressing need for deep awareness of the limited time left for effective integration and cooperation among business units.

Successful case accumulation and behavioral integration are crucial for community acceptance and central government support.

Addressing information asymmetry and presenting clear benefits of integration are essential for persuading citizens and overcoming potential obstacles.

Overcoming Challenges in Daegu and Gyeongbuk Integration

The importance of communication and public discussion is emphasized in addressing the opposition from public officials regarding the integration of Daegu and Gyeongbuk.

Concerns about job loss and economic contraction due to restructuring are raised, but the integration is also seen as an opportunity to generate more jobs and resolve various issues.

The speaker advocates for a bold vision and direction for the future, considering the needs of future generations, and hopes for the insights shared to be reflected in the ongoing process of administrative integration.