Ahead of the June 3 local elections, Kang Sung-hwi, the Democratic Party of Korea's preliminary candidate for Mokpo mayor, has officially proposed the creation of a "Muan Peninsula Integrated Special City," drawing significant attention.
In a statement released on the 27th, Kang said, "The passage of the Jeonnam-Gwangju Special City Special Act is a historic decision that will mark a new turning point for balanced national development." He added, "It will be a meaningful first step toward a system where regions develop their own competitiveness, moving beyond the capital-centered unipolar structure."
He continued, "Now that metropolitan-level reorganization has become reality, the Muan Peninsula should no longer remain in a fragmented structure. Mokpo, Muan, and Sinan must be reorganized into a single economic, living, and industrial zone."
Kang presented the "Muan Peninsula Integrated Special City" as a solution to overcome the structural limitations of the southwest region. He explained, "The current fragmented administrative structure makes it difficult to overcome the crises of population decline, industrial stagnation, and fiscal weakness. Only when Mokpo's port and urban center, Muan's airport and hinterland, and Sinan's offshore wind power and marine resources are combined can competitiveness be maximized."
Kang argued that designation as an "integrated special city," not mere administrative consolidation, is necessary. He noted, "After integration, the area would be nine times larger than Suwon, an existing special city, reaching metropolitan-level scale, but fiscal independence would remain low. Integration without authority only increases burden, and integration without finances only leaves disappointment."
Notably, Kang proposed initiating the "Mokpo-Sinan preliminary merger" immediately after the local elections. He stated, "In principle, I aim for a three-way integration, but further delays cannot be permitted. Regardless of the election outcome, a joint working-level consultative body should be formed, and we must immediately begin gathering residents' opinions and reviewing legal and administrative procedures."
He added, "Let's pursue a joint declaration for preliminary integration by all Mokpo mayoral candidates. Integration is not a matter of political parties but a shared responsibility for the future of the southwest region."
Kang said, "Integration is not an administrative matter but a matter of the future. The Muan Peninsula Integrated Special City will serve as a strategic bridgehead toward building a 500,000-population hub city in the southwest region." He emphasized, "If elected, I will not be attached to my term and will begin immediately after the election. I will open the future of the southwest region through the Muan Peninsula Integrated Special City."