Gyeongnam Governor Puts 'Innovation' Atop Agenda, Anchored by Economy and Welfare

South Gyeongsang Province Governor Park Wan-su has made "innovation" the top priority of his provincial administration as the ninth popularly elected term begins. He placed emphasis on fostering new industries, strengthening welfare, and reforming communication and organization.

At an inauguration press conference held at the South Gyeongsang Provincial Office Wednesday, Park said "there are limits to the existing methods," pledging to achieve a major leap forward through communication with residents and reform of the organization and affiliated agencies.

He presented three areas for reform: resident communication, organization, and affiliated agencies. "During the June 3 local elections, many residents did not know much about the provincial administration or felt their requests were not reflected," Park said. "How to reflect residents' opinions in the provincial administration is the core of innovation." He stressed that he would gather employees' opinions to restructure the organization into an efficient and productive one, and would also reorganize the structure and systems of affiliated agencies, including invested and funded institutions.

Park emphasized that, following the eighth term, the ninth term would also be anchored by the economy and welfare. In the industrial sector, he plans to focus on building a foundation for new industries beyond support for existing key industries. Gyeongnam aims to lead South Korea's vision of becoming one of the world's top five space powers by strengthening capabilities in physical AI, small modular reactors (SMR), and aerospace. He added that he would also focus on the software and service industries to create jobs for young people.

In the welfare sector, he said he would focus on looking after the livelihoods of struggling residents beyond fragmentary policies. He explained that he would concentrate on care policies and building social safety nets to develop livelihood policies suited to Gyeongnam, separate from central government policies.

Regarding the government's three mega projects, he said it was desirable that the government and businesses jointly announced investment plans. However, he expressed concern that "the effect could be halved if it is carried out based on political logic rather than market logic." He said, "There is controversy over reverse discrimination between the southwestern and southeastern regions, but it is not right to weigh the pros and cons based on the government announcement alone," adding, "If local governments create a good environment for corporate investment, they can draw more investment." He also announced a plan to form a project promotion team to address issues of location, energy, and water supply.

Regarding the trickle-down effects of the mega projects, he predicted, "Companies that have already invested in the region, such as Hanwha, LG, Doosan, and Samsung Heavy Industries, are expanding their businesses, so the execution capability is much higher than in the southwestern region," and "If we cooperate with companies, we can bring in more projects."

Park also explained that Gyeongnam remains the center of the physical AI industry. However, he said the shortage of finished-product plants and anchor companies is a challenge. He then expressed his view: "It is difficult to provide satisfactory jobs for young people, especially female workers, through manufacturing alone," and "Service industries such as medicine, education, culture, tourism, and finance must be expanded and opened up, and the government and National Assembly must move to overhaul related laws and regulations."

Asked about the administrative integration of Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongnam, he made clear that his existing position remains unchanged. The principles of integration through a referendum and securing the autonomy of the integrated local government remain the same. "A special local government (special union) could become a redundant layer and slow down integration," Park said. "When metropolitan governments integrate, they must be given the status and authority to be called a local government; if it ends up as a simple merger, it will inevitably return to square one." However, he said, "Since the Busan mayor has changed, I will meet and consult with Busan Mayor Jeon Jae-soo and Ulsan Mayor Kim Sang-wook if the opportunity arises."

On the issue of separating the integrated city of Changwon, he explained that residents of Jinhae and Masan are experiencing difficulties in resolving civil complaints and receiving close administrative services, adding that there is a need to review the administrative system and ask for residents' opinions.

Regarding the push to convert Changwon National University into an institute of science and technology, he expressed his intention to respect the decision of the university's members while providing support. "Amid a declining school-age population, local universities can survive only by cultivating talent linked to regional industries," Park said. "The conversion into a science and technology institute is up to Changwon National University and its members, but since it aligns with the goals of strengthening local universities' competitiveness and cultivating industry-linked talent, South Gyeongsang Province will provide support."