UPDATE : 2024.11.4 Mon 00:40
»ó´Ü¿©¹é
HOME Local Lens
Will Changwon¡¯s Risky 'Special City' Status be Maintained?
¡ã Population change graph of Changwon City (Source: Changwon City Big Data Portal)

Changwon Special City, which is set to enact the ‘Special City Support Act,' is working to maintain a population of 1 million, the requirement for its special city status. According to the Changwon City Big Data Portal, as of the end of August 2024, the total population of Changwon Special City is 1,023,442. This population figure includes the total of registered residents, foreign nationals of Korean descent with domestic residence reports, and registered foreign nationals. As of August 2024, the registered resident population of Changwon City is 1,002,608. Since Changwon Special City was established on January 13, 2022, through the merger of the former Changwon, Masan, and Jinhae cities, the population has been steadily declining. The population of registered residents in Changwon Special City was 1,021,487 in 2022 and decreased to 1,009,038 in 2023.

A "Special City" is a new model of local administration that maintains the legal status of a primary local government while being granted administrative and financial powers comparable to those of a metropolitan city. Currently, Yongin, Suwon, and Goyang also have the qualifications of special cities, but Changwon is the only special city outside the metropolitan area.

Although Changwon was established as a Special City, it lacks the administrative and financial powers that a special city should have. Therefore, it became necessary to enact the ‘Special City Support Act’ to provide systematic support and establish an urban development strategy that fits the local conditions. On March 25, during the 23rd People's Livelihood Forum held at the Yongin Special City Hall, President Yoon Suk- yeol announced plans to enact the 'Special City Support Act' and expand autonomous authority for the four Special Cities. On March 27, the Ministry of Public Administration and Security established a task force for the enactment of the Special City Support Act and held its first meeting. On June 21, Gyeongsangnam- do Province held the ‘2024 Regional Innovation Decentralization Governance Conference’ to discuss the direction and necessity of enacting the Special City Support Act.

The most substantial issue is the population of Changwon Special City. If the current population trend continues, there is a high possibility that it will not be able to maintain the 1 million population required to keep its Special City status. In response, Changwon City is requesting the Ministry of Public Administration and Security to amend the law to extend the grace period for losing its Special City status from the current 2 years to 5 years.

Changwon Special City is promoting various policies to address the trend of population decline. In order to address the low birth rate issue, Changwon City provides a ‘Birth Congratulatory Gift,’ offering 500,000 won for the first child and 2 million won for the second child and beyond to Changwon citizens. As a policy to encourage population influx, Changwon City is implementing a relocation incentive program. Through the 'University Student Life Stability Support Program,' cash assistance is provided to university and graduate students attending schools in Changwon City, who have registered their residency there. Additionally, through the 'Employee Relocation Support Fund,' Changwon City promotes the relocation of workers employed by local companies. In October of this year, a musical- style "Visiting Population Education Program" focusing on fostering family- friendly values will be implemented in elementary and middle schools. In November, a citizen participation forum titled "Changwon's Population Issues and Future Response Strategies" will be held to discuss population decline and aging issues, policies for youth and family- friendliness, and ways to promote citizen engagement and cooperation. Through these efforts, Changwon City is demonstrating its will to overcome the problem of population decline and achieve sustainable urban development.

If special cities are limited to the capital area due to population concentration, regional imbalance will become more severe. Changwon City, a non- capital area, also needs a special city status, which can help achieve balanced regional development and strengthen local autonomous authority. Oh Su- mi, the head of the population policy division, stated, "We are working to provide excellent living conditions for Changwon citizens through good jobs and cultural facilities, while also striving to establish a collaborative ecosystem among universities, businesses, administration, and citizens." She added, "We will work together to improve awareness of the values of life and family communities." If the enactment of the Special City Support Act is accompanied by Changwon City's continued efforts, it will not only maintain the current population but also attract new residents, solidifying its Special City status.

By Son Yu-jeong, cub-reporter  ujeong0202@naver.com

<ÀúÀÛ±ÇÀÚ © The Campus Journal, ¹«´Ü ÀüÀç ¹× Àç¹èÆ÷ ±ÝÁö>

iconÀαâ±â»ç
±â»ç ´ñ±Û 0°³
Àüüº¸±â
ù¹ø° ´ñ±ÛÀ» ³²°ÜÁÖ¼¼¿ä.
¿©¹é
¿À´ÃÀÇ ÁÖ¿ä´º½º
[Special Feature] The Power of Language and Experience
[Talk & Topic]
[Special Feature] The Power of...
The Last Bastion for Cinephiles in Gyeongsangnam-do, Cineart Rhizome
[Local Lens]
The Last Bastion for Cinephile...
Memories of Eternity: Behind the Story of the ¡®Bongrim Daedongje Festival¡¯
[CWNU Now]
Memories of Eternity: Behind t...
Han Kang Wins S.Korea's First Nobel Prize in Literature
[Social & Issue]
Han Kang Wins S.Korea's First ...
¿©¹é
¿©¹é
Back to Top