Experts: Future Development, Not Facility Location, Key for New Jeonnam-Gwangju City

Experts are urging a forward-thinking approach to the development of the new Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City, emphasizing that the location of key facilities like the provincial office, a semiconductor fab, and a medical school should be secondary to addressing fundamental regional challenges.

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We need to look at the region's immediate tasks before attracting facilities.

During a forum on "How to Resolve the 3 Major Conflict Agendas," Yoon Hee-cheol, director of the Eco-City Living Lab (ECLL), argued that the success of these projects, which could take up to a decade, depends more on their ability to solve local issues than their physical placement. He noted that concerns about regional marginalization due to the provincial office's location can be mitigated by focusing on industrial development, job creation, transportation, education, healthcare, culture, and housing, rather than the office itself. Yoon proposed a functional division of existing provincial offices based on work connectivity, citizen accessibility, and regional specialization, coupled with a clear plan for power and budget distribution to areas without the main office.

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Regional development is more dependent on conditions such as industry, jobs, transportation, education, healthcare, culture, and housing, rather than the presence of a provincial office.

Regarding the medical school, currently a point of contention between Suncheon National University and Mokpo National University, Yoon observed that the focus has shifted to a competitive race for its establishment, overshadowing discussions on regional healthcare services. He advocated for a long-term plan for the medical school and strengthening emergency medical hubs in both eastern and western regions. The priority, he stated, should be defining regional medical needs and designing systems to retain graduates within the region.

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We need to establish regional medical functions first and design systems together to ensure medical school graduates can stay in the region.

For the semiconductor fab, Yoon cautioned that its presence alone does not guarantee regional revitalization. He stressed the need for integrated development, including local corporate participation, professional workforce training, and adequate housing and living environments to encourage workers to settle in the area. Ultimately, Yoon concluded, the integration's success lies not in equal distribution but in connecting diverse regional strengths, sharing opportunities, and making decisions that future generations will not regret.

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A region does not come alive with just one semiconductor fab.