Oh Se-hoon "Megacity, voters want it... I will have no choice but to pledge it"

"TF Composition Practical Work is Underway"

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon stated that the plan for a 'Mega City' incorporating Gimpo and other Gyeonggi areas into Seoul will naturally be promoted through election pledge competition before the general election.

In a KBS radio interview on the 1st, Mayor Oh said, "By the time the nomination process for the general election is wrapping up, candidates from the 11 local governments adjacent to Seoul are highly likely to naturally include the issue of Seoul incorporation in their pledges."

On the 17th, Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon attended the 2024 Press New Year Meeting held at Seoul City Hall on Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul, and delivered a greeting. Photo by Jo Yong-jun jun21@

He added, "Since many voters want this (Mega City), candidates have no choice but to present pledges that voters desire," and explained, "Discussions will naturally continue."

Earlier, at a New Year's press conference last month, Mayor Oh also mentioned, "New City and Mega City will probably be actively pursued after the general election, and I think that is desirable."

Mayor Oh explained that practical discussions such as adjusting the authority of basic local government heads after the incorporation of Gyeonggi local governments into Seoul are underway. He said, "We have already formed a task force with local governments and are currently coordinating the pros and cons behind the scenes," adding, "The key issue is whether the heads of basic local governments in Gyeonggi Province, who hold administrative and permit authority, will continue to maintain their powers. We are working to adjust this so that neither Seoul nor Gyeonggi local governments have complaints."

Mayor Oh stated, "When candidates who make pledges (for the general election) appear, we will be able to share the most reasonable alternatives and administrative research with them."

Meanwhile, on the same day, Mayor Oh once again appealed for financial support from the central government regarding free subway rides for senior citizens. He said, "This was started because we were instructed to implement it at the time of enforcement, and since it is stipulated in the law and enforcement decree, local governments have no choice but to implement it," adding, "I would like to request once again that the central government provide assistance regarding the free ride issue for senior citizens across all local governments nationwide."

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