Daejeon-Chungnam Administrative Integration, "A Major Leap Toward Balanced Development"

First National Assembly Forum Following Special Act Proposal
Kim Taeheum and Lee Jangwoo: "Pursuing Integration to Lead the Next 100 Years"

Discussions on the administrative integration of Daejeon and Chungnam have entered full swing on the National Assembly stage. With the proposal of the "Special Act on the Establishment of Daejeon-Chungnam Special City and the Creation of an Economic and Science Capital," ultra-wide regional integration led by the Chungcheong region is emerging as a core issue for balanced national development.

As the "Special Act on the Establishment of Daejeon-Chungnam Special City and the Creation of an Economic and Science Capital" was submitted to the National Assembly, the "Daejeon-Chungnam Administrative Integration National Assembly Forum" was held on November 3 in the main auditorium of the National Assembly Library to build public consensus on administrative integration.

This forum was co-hosted by Seong Iljong, Chairman of the National Defense Committee, Jang Donghyuk, leader of the People Power Party, and TJB, and co-organized by the Daejeon City Government and Chungnam Provincial Government.

More than 350 participants attended, including Chairman Seong Iljong, Kim Taeheum, Governor of Chungnam Province, Lee Jangwoo, Mayor of Daejeon, and lawmakers In Yo-han, Jin Jongoh, Lee Dalhee, and Kim Sungwon, to discuss the necessity and direction of integration.

Chairman Seong emphasized, "The administrative integration of Daejeon and Chungnam is not simply a reorganization of institutions, but the setting of a new milestone for balanced national development," adding, "The Chungcheong region must take the lead in this integration."

Kim Taeheum, Governor of Chungnam Province

Governor Kim Taeheum stated, "Daejeon and Chungnam will take the initiative in opening the way for integration," and called on the political community to unite their efforts so that the special act can be passed swiftly.

He further declared, "The administrative integration of Daejeon and Chungnam will serve as a model of local autonomy to lead the next 100 years of Korea's future."

Mayor Lee Jangwoo also stressed, "The Chungcheong region must break the current Seoul-centric system and become a pillar of national growth," adding, "If the special act passes, we can realize a local government with quasi-federal powers by receiving significant transfers of authority and finances from the central government."

The keynote speech was delivered by Jeong Jaekeun, Co-Chair of the Daejeon-Chungnam Administrative Integration Public-Private Council, on the topic of "Balanced National Development and the Practice of the Chungcheong Region." In the subsequent panel discussion, representatives from academia, research institutes, and the media discussed the "Ultra-Wide Area Model of the Chungcheong Region within the Five Major Regions and Three Special Zones System."

If the special act passes the National Assembly in December this year, the "Daejeon-Chungnam Special City" will be officially launched in July next year.

Daejeon City and Chungnam Province plan to continue multifaceted efforts to persuade lawmakers from both parties and expand public consensus, making an all-out push to secure passage in the plenary session.

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