South Korea's Cheju Province's plan to turn the resort island into a free international city is expected to get a boost, as voters approved the local government��s new administrative system on Wednesday.

A total of 82,919 voters, or 57 percent of 145,388 eligible votes cast "yes" ballots on the new system while 62,469 voters or 43 percent opposed the idea.

According to the proposal, the island's two counties will be merged with its two cities, and are to be directly controlled by the provincial government.

The mayors of the two expanded cities will be appointed by the Cheju governor.

Currently, the island province has two cities -- Cheju City and Sogwipo City -- and two counties -- North Cheju County and South Cheju County.

After the new system won approval, Cheju Governor Kim Tae-hwan, who supports the new system, said that he will concentrate on making the island a hub city in Northeast Asia that will promote international business activities and the free flow of people, goods and investment.

"With greater authority and a faster decision-making process, let us establish Cheju as a first-class international free city," the governor said.

The central government has also been pushing for a plan to make Cheju Island a free international city similar to Hong Kong and Singapore by 2011.

According to the plan, the island will be a visa-free international city for global tourism, finance, and logistics, and specifically will offer tax benefits for domestic and foreign investors.

It will also allow foreigners to establish schools in Cheju and allow Korean students to be admitted to the schools.

It is expected that the Island will eventually attract 9.93 million tourists annually and boost per capita provincial income to $20,000 by 2011, when the project is completed.

Experts say that the voting results reflect Cheju residents�� willingness to change the current administrative system into a more efficient one.

Source: Agencies