Historic Busan-Gyeongnam Integration Forum Sparks Heated Debate in Tongyeong - Could This Be Korea's Next Megacity?

The Southern Region Takes Center Stage in Korea's Administrative Revolution

On a crisp afternoon in Tongyeong, history was being written in the most unlikely of places - a modest audiovisual room at the Tongyeong Municipal Chungmu Library. The Busan-Gyeongnam Administrative Integration Public Discussion Committee had chosen this coastal city as the venue for what many consider to be one of the most significant regional debates in modern Korean politics. With 120 residents and officials packed into the room, the atmosphere was electric with anticipation and concern. Did you know that this seemingly small gathering could reshape the future of over 8 million people living in Korea's southeastern region?

The forum wasn't just another bureaucratic meeting - it represented a pivotal moment in Korea's ongoing struggle against regional extinction. As Professor Yoon Chang-sul from Gyeongsang National University dramatically put it during his presentation, the crisis of regional extinction is like a 'Black Elephant' - a predictable disaster that everyone can see coming but chooses to ignore. This metaphor struck a chord with attendees, many of whom have witnessed their hometowns slowly emptying as young people migrate to Seoul in search of opportunities.

What Makes This Integration Different from Previous Attempts?

Unlike the failed Daegu-North Gyeongsang Province integration attempt, the Busan-Gyeongnam merger proposal has been carefully crafted with two distinct models. The first model, known as the 'two-tier system,' would completely abolish both Busan City and Gyeongsangnam-do Province to create an entirely new integrated local government. The second model, the 'three-tier system,' would maintain the existing structures while establishing a super-regional government above them. This flexibility has generated significant interest among policy experts who see it as a more pragmatic approach.

The integration process began gaining serious momentum after the collapse of the Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam Special Union concept in late 2022. Rather than abandoning regional cooperation entirely, leaders pivoted toward this more focused bilateral approach. Busan Mayor Park Hyung-joon and Gyeongsangnam-do Governor Park Wan-soo have been meeting regularly since establishing a working-level administrative integration committee in February 2024. Their commitment was formalized when they adopted a joint agreement for future leaps and win-win development, setting September as the deadline for preparing a comprehensive administrative integration plan.

Voices from the Ground - What Residents Really Think

The Tongyeong forum revealed the complex emotions and practical concerns that ordinary citizens harbor about this ambitious project. Ha Min-ji, the Administrative System Team Leader from the Gyeongnam Research Institute, delivered the keynote presentation titled 'Proper Understanding of Gyeongnam-Busan Administrative Integration,' covering everything from the basic concept to expected effects on the southern region's industrial infrastructure. Her comprehensive analysis painted a picture of both tremendous opportunities and significant challenges ahead.

During the designated discussion session, led by Committee Spokesperson Jeong Won-sik, several key themes emerged. Gyeongsangnam-do Assemblyman Jeong Su-man argued passionately that the southern region must focus on strengthening regional competitiveness through social infrastructure expansion and fostering maritime, fisheries, and shipbuilding industries. His vision resonated with many attendees who work in these traditional industries that have long been the backbone of the regional economy.

An Kwon-uk, Co-representative of the Gyeongnam Alliance for Local Autonomy, delivered perhaps the most pointed critique of the current system. He emphasized that for integrated local governments to gain meaningful autonomy, there must be substantial authority transfers that residents can actually feel - including enhanced status for local legislation, expansion of tax revenue sources through national tax transfers, and creation of special funds for population decline and development areas.

Educational Concerns and Administrative Challenges Take Center Stage

One of the most emotionally charged moments came during the Q&A session when a Geoje resident stood up to voice concerns about education. 'As we push forward with administrative integration, please pay attention to our children's future and education, including autonomous public high schools and private high schools,' they pleaded. This comment highlighted a critical aspect often overlooked in grand administrative discussions - how integration would affect daily life services that matter most to families.

Another citizen raised practical concerns about current administrative inefficiencies in Tongyeong, Geoje, and Goseong, asking whether administrative integration could facilitate related legal reforms. They went further, requesting that such forums be held more frequently to tackle both administrative integration and population extinction - what they called 'catching two rabbits at once.' This sentiment reflects the urgency felt by many residents who see integration not as an abstract policy goal but as a potential lifeline for their communities.

Learning from Success and Failure - The Daegu-Gyeongbuk Lessons

Professor Ha Hye-su from Kyungpook National University's Department of Public Administration provided crucial context by analyzing the recent Daegu-North Gyeongsang Province integration experience. Her balanced presentation of pros and cons offered valuable insights, but her key message was clear: 'For southern region development, strong resident support and demands are necessary during the integration process.' This observation carries particular weight given that Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province recently agreed to launch an integrated local government in July 2026.

The comparison with Daegu-Gyeongbuk integration reveals both opportunities and challenges. While that integration moved forward with official approval, it also faced significant resistance and criticism. The Busan-Gyeongnam committee appears to be taking a more cautious, inclusive approach, prioritizing public opinion over speed. As one Gyeongsangnam-do official noted, 'We will focus on the public opinion of the citizens of the two local governments rather than the speed war by using the recent failure of administrative integration in Daegu and Gyeongbuk as an example'.

The Road Ahead - Timeline and Next Steps

The Tongyeong forum was just one stop in an ambitious roadmap of public engagement. The Public Discussion Committee launched a series of eight regional forums starting with Busan on July 1st, and plans to conclude with a final session at Changwon Convention Center on July 25th. This systematic approach reflects the committee's commitment to hearing voices from across the entire region before making final recommendations.

Following the forum series, the committee plans to conduct awareness surveys targeting residents of both Busan and Gyeongsangnam-do to carefully analyze public opinion. The process will continue throughout the second half of 2025 with ongoing opinion collection, ultimately resulting in a public discussion opinion paper that will be delivered to both regional governors. This methodical approach represents a significant departure from previous top-down administrative reforms in Korea.

The Bigger Picture - Regional Survival in Modern Korea

What's really at stake in these discussions goes far beyond administrative efficiency. Korea is facing an unprecedented demographic crisis, with Busan's total fertility rate dropping to just 0.64 in recent quarters - the lowest ever recorded. The city has lost 200,000 residents over the past decade, with more than 100,000 young people relocating to the capital area. Gyeongsangnam-do faces similar challenges, with its fertility rate reaching 0.8.

The integration proposal represents a bold attempt to create a counterweight to Seoul's overwhelming dominance. Currently, the Seoul Metropolitan area accounts for over half of Korea's GDP despite housing only about 27 million out of 50 million citizens. Regional leaders hope that by combining Busan's port infrastructure and international connections with Gyeongsangnam-do's manufacturing base and natural resources, they can create a genuine alternative to capital area concentration.

As the forums continue and public opinion crystallizes, one thing remains clear - the residents of Korea's southeast are not content to watch their region slowly fade away. Whether through administrative integration or other means, they're determined to chart a new course for their communities. The conversations in Tongyeong's library may have seemed modest in scale, but they represent something much larger - a region's fight for its future in rapidly changing Korea.