Kim Taeheum Urges President Lee: "Raise Allocation Tax Rate and Transfer Special Agencies"

Emphasizing Local Decentralization and Financial Expansion
"Chungnam Science High School and National Dental Research Institute in Cheonan Must Be Expedited"

Kim Taeheum, Governor of Chungnam Province / The Asia Business Daily DB

On November 12, Kim Taeheum, Governor of Chungnam Province, called on President Lee Jaemyung to raise the local allocation tax rate and transfer special local administrative agencies to local governments during the 9th Central-Local Cooperation Meeting held at the Presidential Office.

Governor Kim stated, "Since 2006, the allocation tax rate has not increased even once, and local finances have reached their limits. Now is the time to significantly raise the allocation tax rate and boldly transfer the personnel and budgets of central special agencies to local governments to achieve genuine local autonomy and decentralization."

He further emphasized, "For the bold local decentralization promised by the President to yield tangible results, both authority and financial resources must be devolved together. Local governments should be able to autonomously implement policies tailored to their regional characteristics."

Governor Kim also addressed key issues for Chungnam Province, including the construction of a science high school for gifted students in Chungnam Innovation City and the establishment of the National Dental Research Institute in Cheonan.

He explained, "Although Chungnam received the highest evaluation in the feasibility study for the science high school for gifted students, the current administration has effectively suspended the project. To become a powerhouse in science and technology, systematic nurturing of gifted students is essential."

Regarding the National Dental Research Institute, he stated, "It is difficult to understand why the President's regional pledge to establish the Dental Research Institute in Cheonan is now being subjected to a nationwide competition. Chungnam has already completed all legal and administrative preparations. The institute should be established in Cheonan without a competitive process."

Governor Kim requested, "Policies and projects promised to the people must be implemented swiftly. The government should take proactive action so that Chungnam can become a model for balanced national development and local autonomy and decentralization."

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