Oh Se-hoon: "We Will Also Review the Issue of Incorporation into Other Local Governments"

Seoul City Forms 'Dongil Living Area Quality of Life Improvement TF'

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon met with Gimpo Mayor Kim Byung-soo to discuss the integration of Gimpo and Seoul. Right after the meeting, Mayor Oh announced that the city would form a separate task force (TF) to also discuss the incorporation of other local governments. He added that although the timing is politically sensitive, it is possible to achieve a desirable outcome.

On the 6th, Mayor Oh met with Mayor Kim to discuss Gimpo City's incorporation into Seoul. This meeting was arranged at Mayor Kim's suggestion.

Kim Byung-su, Mayor of Gimpo City, is greeting Oh Se-hoon, Mayor of Seoul, at Seoul City Hall on the 6th before discussing the incorporation of Gimpo City into Seoul. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

The two mayors agreed to establish a 'Joint Research Team on Gimpo City's Incorporation into Seoul' for in-depth study of the effects and impacts of Gimpo's incorporation into Seoul. Additionally, the city will form a separate 'TF for Improving Quality of Life in the Same Living Area,' composed of internal and external experts, to conduct research related to Gimpo and other local governments seeking integration.

Mayor Oh told reporters, "Issues regarding Seoul's incorporation have arisen not only in Gimpo but also in Guri, Hanam, and Goyang, and other local governments are also discussing Seoul incorporation. Rather than waiting to review these later, we will start research early to provide objective and scientific analysis results, and around the end of the year, we will present significantly advanced analysis results to the citizens of Seoul and the respective local governments." He also explained that Guri City recently requested an additional meeting related to integration.

Mayor Oh strongly denied political speculation that this was a strategy for next year's general election. He said, "This issue has emerged at a sensitive time before the election, which is quite burdensome. Therefore, it is necessary to have sufficient research time and discussions, and the timing should be set in the future for the country's long-term benefit." He added, "If given enough time, we can dispel public misunderstandings and achieve a desirable outcome."

Regarding the relocation of the landfill site, Mayor Oh drew a firm line. He emphasized, "Contrary to some media reports, we have no intention of passing on facilities that residents dislike to neighboring local governments."

Mayor Kim told reporters right after the meeting, "If Gyeonggi Province is divided into southern and northern regions, Gimpo will be isolated without adjacency to either, becoming an island-like area. I will further review the topics discussed today."

Regarding the landfill site, he said, "The landfill site is not under Gimpo City's authority, so it is difficult to comment or intervene. Currently, an official public opinion survey regarding incorporation is being conducted among Gimpo citizens."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.