Gwangju and Jeonnam Propose Unified Special City Based on May 18 Spirit

Gwangju and Jeonnam Province, separated by the administrative district reorganization in 1986, are preparing to launch a Unified Special City on May 28, 2026, inheriting the spirit of the May 18th Democratic Uprising. At the time, the history of the May 18th uprising extended beyond Gwangju to various areas in Jeonnam Province, including Naju, Hwasun, Yeongam, and Mokpo.

Just as the Starbucks 'Tank Day' controversy at Gwangju Shinsegae showed the impact of May 18-related issues on the local community, this integration discussion will serve as an opportunity to reflect on the true meaning of May 18. One of the tasks for the launch of the Jeonnam-Gwangju Unified Special City includes consolidating May 18 commemorative projects. This effort is being pursued with the goal of fully restoring the narrative by the 50th anniversary of May 18.

Candidate registration has begun for the first superintendent election of the Unified Special City, scheduled to launch on May 28, 2026. The candidates for the first Jeonnam-Gwangju Unified Special City Superintendent election are Kang Suk-young, Kim Dae-jung, Lee Jeong-seon, and Jang Gwan-ho.