Daejeon-Chungnam Integration on the Brink of Collapse... Discussion Slipping Down the Agenda

With the de facto collapse of administrative integration between Chungnam and Daejeon, as well as between Daegu and Gyeongbuk (TK) ahead of the June 3 local elections, the possibility of electing a unified head for these regions in the June 3 local elections has become highly unlikely.

The Daejeon Metropolitan Office of Education Public Officials Union, the Daejeon Teachers Union, the Chungnam Province Office of Education Union, and the Chungnam Teachers Union held a press conference in front of Daejeon City Hall on January 2 to condemn the hasty promotion of administrative integration. Photo by Yonhap News

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On March 12, the National Assembly failed to pass both the Daejeon-Chungnam Special Integration Act and the Daegu-Gyeongbuk (TK) Special Integration Act during its plenary session.

In order to elect a unified head for these regions, the integration laws must be passed by the National Assembly plenary session no later than early next month.

The ruling and opposition parties plan to continue negotiations with the aim of passing the bills during the March extraordinary session of the National Assembly, as additional plenary sessions are scheduled for March 19 and March 31. However, since both parties have consistently remained at odds, the chances of a dramatic agreement appear slim. In light of this atmosphere, the Daejeon Metropolitan Democratic Party temporarily halted its hunger strike, which had continued for over ten days to demand administrative integration, on March 12.

Within political circles, holding an election for a unified mayor in 2028, when the general election is scheduled, is being discussed as an alternative. On this day, Assemblyman Jang Cheolmin, whose constituency is Dong-gu, Daejeon, held a press conference proposing the creation of the Daejeon-Chungnam-Cheongju Unified New Capital Special City, offering a new integration plan for the Chungcheong region.

However, the feasibility of these alternatives remains uncertain. Critics point out that holding a unified mayoral election in 2028 would require shortening the terms of current governors and mayors to two years, among other related issues that must be resolved.

Another problem is that, both domestically and internationally, there are many pressing issues to address in addition to local administrative integration. Due to increased external uncertainties stemming from the Middle East crisis, both the government and the National Assembly have placed the highest priority on developing economic, diplomatic, and security measures in response.

The Democratic Party is focusing its efforts in the March session of the National Assembly on completing prosecutorial and judicial reforms. Meanwhile, the People Power Party is strongly opposing these efforts through protests and public campaigns.

Furthermore, as the nomination process for the June 3 local elections within each party is becoming highly contentious, discussions on local administrative integration are inevitably being relegated to a lower priority.

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