North Gyeongsang Province launches 'Great Transformation Preparatory Committee' for 9th elected term

North Gyeongsang Province officially launched the "North Gyeongsang Province Great Transformation Preparatory Committee" on Sunday at the Stanford Hotel in Andong.

The committee was formed to build on the achievements of the 7th and 8th elected provincial administrations, define the direction of the province's great transformation under the incoming 9th term, and identify policy priorities grounded in on-the-ground realities. It comprises roughly 300 members drawn from across the province, including experts, business leaders and representatives of civic organizations.

Kim Seong-jo, former president of the North Gyeongsang Culture and Tourism Corporation, was appointed committee chair. The body will operate through 11 subcommittees covering planning and administration; advanced science and investment; regional development; welfare, public health and children; livelihood innovation; disaster safety; local era policy; marine and energy affairs; environmental and forestry resources; agriculture, livestock and retail; and culture and tourism.

Provincial offices and the North Gyeongsang Research Institute will actively support the committee's work through campaign pledge reviews, data provision and analysis. They will also work to ensure the committee's discussions translate into actual policy rather than remaining one-off exercises.

At Sunday's plenary session, the committee discussed key agenda items aimed at driving four major transformations — in industry, space, community and livelihoods — anchored by the administrative integration of Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province and a two-port strategy linking the new airport and Yeongil Bay Port.

Topics reviewed included nurturing AI, semiconductors, biotech, future mobility, energy and defense industries as ultra-gap mega-tech sectors and future growth engines; developing K-food to strengthen the agri-food industry's competitiveness; forming a two-port global economic zone; and strategies to develop the region's cultural, natural and historical assets into a high-value tourism industry.

The committee also exchanged views on a range of social policy proposals: a "North Gyeongsang First Steps Pension" integrating asset-building and childcare support; a senior citizens' healthy meal program; a youth settlement society built on hope; a basic employment society guaranteeing work opportunities; and a small-business New Deal policy.

Members reached a consensus that swift advancement of the Daegu–North Gyeongsang administrative integration is essential to achieving the province's great transformation.

In parallel with efforts to launch the Daegu–North Gyeongsang Special Integrated City in 2028, the committee agreed to continue fleshing out key operational priorities for stable and substantive governance after integration. These include fiscal special provisions, authority transfers, balanced development within the region, and guaranteed autonomy for cities, counties and districts.

The committee plans to present its findings to provincial residents in mid-July before concluding its official activities.

"If the 7th and 8th elected terms sowed the seeds of change with the resolve that we must change to survive, the 9th term is now the time to let those seeds sprout and respond to residents' trust with tangible results," North Gyeongsang Governor Lee Cheol-woo said. "I will build a North Gyeongsang Province that residents can be proud of and pass it on to future generations."