North Jeolla gains special self-governing province status

President Yoon Suk Yeol pledged full support for the “rapid development” of North Jeolla as it gained the status of a special self-governing province on Thursday.

President Yoon Suk Yeol, center right, presents a plaque during a ceremony to launch North Jeolla as a special self-governing province at Sori Arts Center in Jeonju on Thursday. As the special law enacted in December 2022 came into effect, North Jeolla will be granted more autonomy in policymaking through the transfer of certain authorities from the central government. This will enable the province to better pursue economic projects, including developing new industries and building a tourism belt. North Jeolla joins the ranks of three other special self-governing provincial and municipal governments, Jeju, Sejong, and Gangwon. [JOINT PRESS CORPS]

President Yoon Suk Yeol pledged full support for the "rapid development" of North Jeolla as it gained the status of a special self-governing province on Thursday.

"I will personally put care so that North Jeolla can achieve rapid development, leading to the success of Korea," Yoon said during a ceremony to officially launch the new North Jeolla special self-governing province at Sori Arts Center in Jeonju, attended by some 2,000 people.

As the special law enacted in December 2022 came into effect, North Jeolla will be granted more autonomy in policymaking by transferring certain authorities from the central government. This will enable the province to pursue economic projects more effectively, including developing new industries and building a tourism belt.

North Jeolla joins the ranks of three other special self-governing provincial and municipal governments — Jeju, Sejong, and Gangwon.

Yoon especially urged support for the agricultural, bio convergence, unmanned vehicle and renewable battery industries and the opening of an international K-pop school.

The provincial government envisions becoming a global hub of "life and economy" and building a tourism belt in the southwest region.

Yoon said the launch of the new self-governing province will provide a "big opportunity and blessing to all its residents," as his administration has keenly pursued balanced regional development.

The province's name change is the first in 128 years since Jeolla was divided into North and South Jeolla in 1896.

During the event, a progressive lawmaker was caught on camera being escorted out by presidential security.

Rep. Kang Sung-hee of the minor progressive Jinbo Party, who attended the inauguration ceremony, caused a disturbance by pulling Yoon's hand and shouting, according to the presidential office.

The office called the incident a potential "security breach."

Presidential security officials drag out Rep. Kang Sung-hee of the minor progressive Jinbo Party during a ceremony attended by President Yoon Suk Yeol inaugurating North Jeolla as a special self-governing province at the Sori Arts Center in Jeonju on Thursday. [JOINT PRESS CORPS]

BY SARAH KIM [kim.sarah@joongang.co.kr]