The plan to merge regions in southwest Korea is moving ahead unusually quickly, as Gwangju City and South Jeolla Province seek to become a single administrative unit ahead of the June local elections, when voters will elect a unified mayor for the first time.
The push was made official last Friday, when the Gwangju mayor and South Jeolla Province governor jointly announced their intent to integrate the two governments.
Since then, the proposal has rapidly advanced from a political declaration to a concrete timetable tied to legislation, elections and the formal launch of a new regional authority.
Under the plan, the two governments aim to establish an integrated local government through a special law, which is to be submitted to and passed by the National Assembly by the end of February.
Once the legal framework is in place, a unified head
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