Candidate Lee Kwonjae: "Citizens' Will Comes First in Osan-Hwaseong Integration... City Hall Should Be in Osan"

Lee Kwonjae, Preliminary Candidate for Osan Mayor
Proposes Two Options: Partial or Full Integration of Osan and Hwaseong
"The Voices of 270,000 Citizens Are the True Barometer for Osan-Hwaseong Integration"

Lee Kwonjae, a preliminary candidate for Osan mayor from the People Power Party, has issued a statement regarding the 'Osan-Hwaseong City Administrative Integration' proposal, which has recently emerged as a major issue both inside and outside of political circles.

Press conference on the selection of new supply sites in Segyo 3 District. Provided by candidate Lee Gwon-jae

On May 5, Lee Kwonjae stated in a press release, "If administrative integration between Osan and Hwaseong is necessary for the times, I will accept it."

Lee Kwonjae presented two specific proposals: ▲Partial Integration (adjustment of the Osan-Hwaseong boundary) ▲Full Integration (integration of the administrative districts of Osan and Hwaseong).

The partial integration proposal mainly involves incorporating the nine villages in the eastern part of Hwanggujicheon, Jeongnam-myeon, Hwaseong—which currently fall within Osan's sphere of daily life—into Osan City, and transferring the Dosham Park City area of Osan's Oesammi-dong into Dongtan District of Hwaseong City.

The full integration proposal involves merging the entire administrative districts, similar to the cases of Cheongju in North Chungcheong Province and Changwon in South Gyeongsang Province. Lee Kwonjae stated, "If we integrate the entire administrative districts, I will include a stipulation that the integrated city hall will be located in Osan."

Before the separation of Osan City and Hwaseong County in 1989, the Hwaseong County Office was located in Osan (current Lotte Mart), which is geographically central, and even now, Osan is situated in the middle of the two cities.

This is also significant in that Osan serves as a central hub for Pyeongtaek, Yongin, and Hwaseong, where major companies such as Samsung and SK hynix are located, making the region a key city for semiconductor materials, parts, and equipment in southern Gyeonggi Province.

The 3rd Anniversary Press Conference of the 8th Civilian Governor. Photo provided by Kwon Jae

However, Lee Kwonjae emphasized that he will prioritize a process of deliberation and public policy surveys involving all 270,000 citizens, rather than pushing for rapid administrative integration between Osan and Hwaseong.

Lee Kwonjae said, "The thoughts and judgments of Osan's 270,000 citizens are the true barometer," adding, "If I am re-elected as mayor, I will first engage in a deliberative process to hear what citizens think about administrative integration." [End]

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