Launch of Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City: What Has Changed for Addresses and Resident Registration Cards?
이 포스팅은 쿠팡 파트너스 활동의 일환으로, 이에 따른 일정액의 수수료를 제공받습니다.
This article is based on the latest reports and official materials available as of 2026-07-21 Korea Standard Time.
As of 2026-07-21, Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City has already been established. Starting at 0 on 2026-07-01, Jeollanam-do and Gwangju Metropolitan City were merged into a single metropolitan-level local government.
For residents, the biggest questions concern addresses and identification cards. Although the administrative area's name has changed, existing resident registration cards remain valid, and postal codes and telephone area codes remain unchanged.
Although the official address format has changed, not every system used in daily life has changed at once.
What Areas Make Up Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City?
Under the special legislation, the former Jeollanam-do and Gwangju Metropolitan City were abolished and Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City was established. Its official name is 'Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City,' while its legally designated abbreviated name is 'Gwangju Special City.'
Jeollanam-do's 22 cities and counties and Gwangju's 5 autonomous districts now fall under a single metropolitan administrative system. However, the existing names and jurisdictions of cities, counties, and districts, such as Suncheon, Yeosu, Hwasun County, and Gwangju's Dong-gu District, remain unchanged.
The mayor of the integrated special city holds ministerial-level status equivalent to that of the Mayor of Seoul and may attend Cabinet meetings. A central change brought about by the administrative merger is the ability to pursue transportation, industrial, and urban development projects that previously required coordination among multiple regions under a single metropolitan plan.
How Should Addresses Be Written Now?
The metropolitan-level administrative designation in road-name addresses and addresses registered in government systems changes from 'Jeollanam-do' or 'Gwangju Metropolitan City' to 'Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City.'
For example:
Previous address
Gwangju Metropolitan City, Dong-gu, ○○-ro
Updated address
Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City, Dong-gu, ○○-ro
Previous address
Jeollanam-do, Hwasun-gun, ○○-gil
Updated address
Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City, Hwasun-gun, ○○-gil
Address information in major administrative systems, including resident registration and family relationship registration, has been converted through the integration process. Residents are not required to visit government offices and manually update every address.
However, addresses maintained by private businesses, such as online shopping delivery addresses, contact information registered with banks, insurance company membership records, and corporate personnel records, may be updated at different times.
When entering an address on a new contract or bill, it is advisable to check whether the organization you are dealing with has updated its address records.
Existing Resident Registration Cards and Driver's Licenses Remain Valid
Even though the metropolitan-level designation in addresses has changed, existing resident registration cards remain valid and can continue to be used.
Residents who want a resident registration card showing the new address may apply for a free replacement under the applicable rules. Replacing an existing identification card is not mandatory.
Existing driver's licenses also remain valid. However, fees may apply if someone requests a new driver's license because of the address change.
Procedures may vary depending on the reason for the application, such as replacing a lost card or switching to an IC resident registration card, and the type of identification involved. Residents should therefore check with their local community service center or the responsible authority before visiting.
Postal Codes and Telephone Area Codes Will Not Change
Although the beginning of addresses has changed, existing postal codes and telephone area codes will remain in place.
The 061 area code used in Jeollanam-do and the 062 area code used in Gwangju will continue to be used. There is no need to update saved landline telephone numbers or replace them with a single unified area code.
Because postal codes and city, county, and district names remain unchanged, mail and parcels bearing previous addresses will not automatically become undeliverable immediately. However, when completing new applications or updating membership information, using the new metropolitan-level designation is the most accurate approach.
School Assignments and Police Jurisdictions Will Not Be Merged Immediately
The administrative merger does not mean that school assignment areas for students in Jeollanam-do and Gwangju will immediately become a single unified zone.
To minimize confusion during the initial transition, existing school districts, school groups, and high school assignment procedures will remain unchanged. The merger also does not mean that students can freely transfer or enroll in schools in other areas solely because of the integration while continuing to live at their current addresses.
The police organization will likewise retain the existing Gwangju Metropolitan Police Agency and Jeonnam Provincial Police Agency structures, with each police station continuing to operate within its current jurisdiction. Any future organizational or regulatory adjustments should be confirmed through separate official announcements.
What Immediate Benefits Can Residents Expect?
The changes that have officially taken effect concern the legal status and administrative structure of the metropolitan-level local government. However, transportation fares, taxes, welfare benefits, subsidies, and school assignment standards did not all become identical on the launch date.
The government has established detailed standards and the legal basis for organizational operations in areas including general administration, educational autonomy, urban development, and industrial revitalization to support the operation of the integrated special city. Actual benefits for residents are likely to become more clearly defined through subsequent ordinances, budget allocations, and project implementation schedules.
This does not mean that administrative integration has no significance. Rather, it means that the legal establishment of the new city and changes to policies affecting everyday life take place on different timelines. Instead of assuming that 'everyone can receive the same benefits now that the regions have merged,' residents should check the residency, income, and age requirements specified in individual program announcements.
What Residents Should Check Now
If you plan to continue using your existing resident registration card, no separate application is necessary.
When completing new contracts or application forms, use the updated metropolitan-level administrative designation.
Update addresses held by private services, such as online shopping platforms, banks, insurance companies, and business websites, yourself when necessary.
If you want a replacement resident registration card, check with your local community service center about eligibility for free issuance and the documents you need to prepare.
For subsidies and welfare programs, do not assume that benefits apply automatically simply because you are a 'resident of the integrated special city.' Check the reference date and eligibility requirements in each program announcement separately.
Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City has been legally established, but detailed systems and procedures are still undergoing transition. For matters where address information or administrative processing rules are important, the most reliable approach is to consult the latest official notices from Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City and the relevant city, county, or district.
이 포스팅은 쿠팡 파트너스 활동의 일환으로, 이에 따른 일정액의 수수료를 제공받습니다.