Ulsan, Busan and South Gyeongsang councils declare joint regional development pact

The Ulsan Metropolitan Council joined the Busan Metropolitan Council and the South Gyeongsang Provincial Council on Wednesday to hold the "Busan-Ulsan-South Gyeongsang Council Joint Declaration for Metropolitan Development" ceremony at the Pearl Room of Lotte Hotel Busan, pledging to cooperate on shared development and resolve common regional challenges.

The Ulsan Metropolitan Council was represented by Speaker Lee Yeong-hae along with First Deputy Speaker Hong Seong-u, Council Operations Committee Chair Kong Jin-hyeok, Administrative and Autonomous Affairs Committee Chair Lee Jang-geol, Culture, Welfare and Environment Committee Chair Kwon Tae-ho, Industry and Construction Committee Chair Baek Hyeon-jo and Education Committee Chair Kang Hye-sun.

The ceremony was organized to establish a local assembly-level cooperation framework through which the three councils can jointly address wide-area issues while respecting each region's autonomy and distinct characteristics, and support the identification of policy tasks, the securing of national funding and improvements to relevant systems.

The joint declaration outlines five key areas of cooperation for the Busan-Ulsan-South Gyeongsang region: linked development of major industries including shipbuilding and shipping, future mobility, space and aerospace defense, nuclear power and energy, and AI; strengthening a shared living zone through the integration of historical, cultural and tourism resources; a joint response to national balanced-development policies such as the secondary relocation of public institutions; expansion of wide-area transport networks including the Busan-Masan double-track railway and the Busan-Yangsan-Ulsan metropolitan railway; and the creation of a wide-area industrial ecosystem linking nuclear power, energy and manufacturing industries.

To ensure the declaration is put into practice, the three councils agreed to operate a consultative body led by speakers and lawmakers, as well as a working-level consultative body composed of section chief-level officials. The main body will discuss key metropolitan development issues and the direction of joint policies, while the working-level body will handle the identification of cooperation tasks and day-to-day coordination.

"For Busan, Ulsan and South Gyeongsang to become the most solid triangular axis driving stability and development in South Korea, solidarity and cooperation among the regions are essential," Speaker Lee said.