Kim Tae-heum, Governor of Chungnam Province: "Mega City Seoul? Regions First"

Kim Tae-heum, Governor of Chungnam Province, recently expressed the position that "the establishment of local mega cities should come first" in response to the 'Mega City Seoul' plan proposed in the political sphere. The Mega City Seoul plan refers to the idea of incorporating Gimpo City, Gyeonggi Province, into Seoul.

On the 6th, Governor Kim held a press conference at the Chungnam Provincial Office to announce his stance on the incorporation of Gimpo City into Seoul.

Chungnam Governor Kim Tae-heum recently held a press conference at the Chungnam Provincial Office. Photo is unrelated to the article. Provided by Chungnam Province.

Governor Kim stated, "The current administrative system, created during the Japanese colonial period, does not reflect at all the changes in the living, cultural, and economic spheres of non-capital region residents due to the development of transportation, communication, and the internet," and diagnosed that "a major reform of the administrative system is necessary considering these realities."

However, regarding the Mega Seoul discussion, he emphasized, "To resolve the concentration in the metropolitan area and to balance between the metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas, blueprints for mega cities in the Bu-Ul-Gyeong (Busan, Ulsan, Gyeongnam), Daegu-Gyeongbuk, Honam, and Chungcheong regions should come first."

Specifically, Governor Kim pointed out that discussions and blueprints for local decentralization, balanced development, and the realization of the local era should be prepared first, and only then should discussions on the reorganization of metropolitan administrative districts proceed.

Governor Kim said, "It is necessary to present a groundbreaking blueprint for the transfer of administrative, educational, and financial authority for local decentralization, as well as the relocation of major metropolitan corporations and universities," and added, "In line with this, the four cities and provinces of the Chungcheong region will unite their efforts to actively promote the 'Chungcheong Mega City' in the future."

He also added, "I will strongly request the central government and political circles to present a blueprint so that local mega cities can be formed."

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