Analysis shows that the current government's '5 Core Regions and 3 Special Regions' policy for national balanced development is actually designed with a focus on the 5 core regions, putting Jeonbuk and other 3 special autonomous provinces at risk of being left in institutional blind spots.

The Jeonbuk Research Institute stated in a briefing on the 8th that, "Despite the government's national balanced growth strategy of '5 Core Regions and 3 Special Regions,' the actual implementation structure is designed as an asymmetric structure of '5 core regions at the center, 3 special regions on the periphery,'" and expressed concerns that "especially in the process of establishing the special metropolitan account, it is not clearly stated whether the 3 special regions are included, raising concerns that Jeonbuk may be excluded from financial support."

The '5 Core Regions and 3 Special Regions' strategy aims to establish special local autonomous bodies for 5 super metropolitan regions such as the capital area, southeastern region, Daegu-Gyeongbuk region, central region, and Honam region, and promote the enactment of special laws to strengthen the autonomy and competitiveness of 3 special autonomous provinces including Jeju, Gangwon, and Jeonbuk.

According to the '5 Core Regions and 3 Special Regions National Balanced Growth Promotion Strategy' announced by the Local Autonomy Commission in September, a comprehensive subsidy of 10.6 trillion won will be introduced from 2026 along with the establishment of a special metropolitan account. However, the current 'Law on Local Autonomy and Regional Balanced Development' defines super metropolitan regions as 'regions that cross administrative boundaries of cities and provinces through the agreement of two or more local autonomous bodies,' making it difficult for the single super autonomous body, the 3 special regions, to have a cohesive presence in the national territory.

The Jeonbuk Research Institute pointed out that "Jeonbuk Special Autonomous Province has a financial independence rate of 23.6%, the lowest among the 17 cities and provinces nationwide, and the most unfavorable conditions among the 3 special regions," expressing concerns that "if Jeonbuk is excluded from the special metropolitan account after continuous failures in efforts for financial special laws, it could practically mean exclusion from the national balanced growth strategy."

In fact, looking at the investment plans for major strategic projects in the Local Autonomy Commission's design for the '5 Core Regions and 3 Special Regions,' out of the 3.1 trillion won for AI innovation hubs, only a portion includes Jeonbuk, the construction of super metropolitan transportation networks is mostly centered around the 5 core regions, and the 3.5 trillion won for regional growth funds is specified for 'regional development,' without clear indication of the inclusion of the 3 special regions.

The Jeonbuk Research Institute proposed an amendment to Article 7 of Article 2 of the Law on Local Autonomy and Regional Balanced Development as a solution. The proposal involves adding the definition of "a region (special metropolitan region) established by a special autonomous province for independent development strategies or coordination and cooperation with adjacent areas" to the current definition of super metropolitan regions.

Researcher Cheon Ji-eun emphasized, "Through the amendment of the law, if Jeonbuk Special Autonomous Province is recognized as an independent super metropolitan region, beyond mere financial reinforcement, it would naturally be possible to be incorporated into the governance structure of the central government and local governments regarding the '5 Core Regions and 3 Special Regions.'"

Furthermore, she suggested, "The guidelines for operating the special metropolitan account should specify the minimum allocation ratio for the 3 special regions, and operate with a dual track of direct allocation by ministries and autonomous allocation by local governments to ensure that the 3 special regions also receive tangible benefits."

The Jeonbuk Research Institute concluded by stating, "The structure that excludes the 3 special regions despite the policy name of '5 Core Regions and 3 Special Regions' violates the values of national balanced growth," and emphasized that "through prompt legal amendments and institutional improvements, true balanced growth of '5 Core Regions and 3 Special Regions' should be achieved."