First Meeting of Daegu-Gyeongbuk Administrative Integration Task Force... Discussion on Specific Implementation Plans

Attention on Four-Way Meeting of Mayors and Governors

Daegu City and North Gyeongsang Province held their first meeting on the 23rd to discuss concrete plans for administrative integration, following the official announcement of the integration by Daegu Mayor Hong Joonpyo and North Gyeongsang Governor Lee Cheolwoo.

At the meeting, the city and provincial task force (TF) pledged to communicate closely and cooperate to launch Korea's second integrated metropolitan government as a response to the concentration of talent and capital in the Seoul metropolitan area.

On the 23rd, the Daegu-Gyeongbuk Administrative Integration Working Group meeting was held, attended by Hwang Sunjo, Director of Planning and Coordination Office of Daegu City, and Kim Hojin, Director of Planning and Coordination Office of Gyeongbuk Province.

Attending the meeting from Daegu City were Hwang Sunjo, Director of Planning and Coordination, along with the Policy Planning Officer, Public Relations Officer, Metropolitan Cooperation Officer, and Administrative Director. From North Gyeongsang Province, Kim Hojin, Director of Planning and Coordination, the Policy Planning Officer, Director of the Local Era Policy Bureau, Spokesperson, and Director of Local Administration attended.

During the meeting, which continued through lunch, the Daegu-Gyeongbuk task force (TF) shared the progress of the integration efforts from 2019 to 2022, and exchanged opinions on the future direction and key agendas for integration.

Both Daegu and North Gyeongsang agreed that the upcoming administrative integration should be a qualitative merger achieved through a chemical combination.

Recently, President Yoon Sukyeol instructed active support for the Daegu-Gyeongbuk integration, and as the Ministry of the Interior and Safety has also proposed administrative system reform to prevent local extinction, the participants discussed in detail rapid procedural steps and preparation plans to maximize administrative and financial support from the central government.

They agreed on the necessity of establishing the Daegu-Gyeongbuk Integration Promotion Team to analyze and review matters to be included in special legislation, such as the name, status, and function of the integrated metropolitan entity, division of responsibilities between metropolitan and basic local governments, and the restructuring of tax and fiscal relations.

Daegu and North Gyeongsang plan to continue holding task force (TF) meetings, and once the Daegu-Gyeongbuk Integration Promotion Team formulates integration plans, they will consult with the Ministry of the Interior and Safety and other central government bodies to pursue a rational integration plan through a pan-governmental discussion process.

Kim Hojin, Director of Planning and Coordination for North Gyeongsang Province, said, "Within the policy direction of opening a new era for local governments to overcome low birth rates, I will fulfill my administrative and practical responsibilities to properly realize the Daegu-Gyeongbuk integration that Governor Lee Cheolwoo has strategically envisioned."

Hwang Sunjo, Director of Planning and Coordination for Daegu City, stated, "With administrative integration, Daegu and North Gyeongsang will leap forward as Korea's second-largest city with a population of 5 million. We aim to build an economic zone rivaling the Seoul metropolitan area and, further, create a massive southern economic bloc encompassing Gwangju and South Jeolla to promote true national balanced development. This Daegu-Gyeongbuk integration model will become a successful example of integration."

The Minister of the Interior and Safety, the Mayor of Daegu, the Governor of North Gyeongsang, and the Chairperson of the Local Era Committee plan to hold their first four-party meeting to confirm their commitment to integration and discuss future directions. The specific schedule and location are currently being coordinated.