[The Era of Administrative Reorganization] (Part 1) Over 10 Local Governments Pushing Forward... "Responding to Local Extinction"

Nationwide Discussions from Daegu·Gyeongbuk to Jeju
Reforming Outdated Systems and Addressing Population Decline
Government Forms 'Advisory Committee'... Future Recommendations to Be Prepared

Editor's NoteAs the 30th anniversary of elected local autonomy approaches, movements to reform the outdated administrative system are increasing across the country. While some remain at the level of mere mentions by local government heads, others have presented concrete timelines backed by government support. Amid the worsening population crisis, the majority agree on the necessity of administrative system reform. However, there are many hurdles to overcome before the reform is complete, such as incorporating residents' opinions and enacting laws. At a time when an administrative system suited for future generations in a new administrative environment is required, we examine the current status of local governments laying the groundwork for reform and the path ahead.

Local governments nationwide have jumped into 'administrative system reform.' The number of regions where system reform has been mentioned is too many to count on one hand. Most discussions focus on integrating two or more administrative districts to revive areas facing extinction, but reform directions vary, including strategies to re-divide districts according to local realities.

The background for the active discussions on administrative system reform lies in the 'outdated system.' This year marks the 30th anniversary of the first simultaneous local elections where residents directly elected local government heads and local council members. Despite rapid changes in the administrative environment over such a long period, the administrative system has failed to adapt accordingly, causing resident inconvenience and declining regional competitiveness?a criticism that has been consistently raised. In response, as the government rolled up its sleeves to support administrative system reform on the 30th anniversary of local autonomy, local governments also began to expand the 'stage.'

Daegu·Gyeongbuk Form 'Pan-Government Support Group'... Jeju Revives Basic Local Governments

According to our confirmation, more than ten regions have mentioned administrative system reform. Among them, the most advanced discussions are in Daegu and Gyeongbuk. The two local government heads, Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sang-min, and Local Era Committee Chairman Woo Dong-gi met last month to discuss a plan aiming for the launch of an integrated local government on July 1, 2026. Daegu and Gyeongbuk are pushing for the enactment of a special law by the end of the year, and the government plans to form a 'Pan-Government Integrated Support Group' to consider cost support and granting financial special cases. President Yoon Suk-yeol also held a public discussion on livelihood in Gyeongbuk last month and expressed his active support for the integration of the two regions.

Busan and Gyeongnam, which had faced several obstacles before, have restarted efforts for administrative integration. Busan Mayor Park Hyung-joon and Gyeongnam Governor Park Wan-su officially announced the promotion of administrative integration last month through a 'Joint Agreement for Future Leap and Mutual Development.' The agreement includes a commitment to enact a special law to ensure that the integrated local government can secure substantial functions equivalent to those of a federal state. The two local governments plan to prepare a detailed administrative integration plan by September and conduct a resident opinion survey in March next year.

Gimpo is also re-pursuing the 'Seoul incorporation' mega-city plan that surged during the last general election. The Seoul incorporation plan for Gimpo, which was raised by the ruling party last year, even saw a bill proposed but was discarded due to the expiration of the National Assembly's term. Gimpo City announced on the 4th that it is consulting with the National Assembly to have the special law for Seoul incorporation reintroduced in the second half of this year. It also set a goal to hold a resident referendum again next year, which was canceled last November due to insufficient information provided to residents.

There are also cases of system reform that are not 'integration.' Gyeonggi Province is pushing to divide the northern cities into 'Gyeonggi Bukdo.' This is a core pledge of Gyeonggi Governor Kim Dong-yeon and a measure to develop the long-neglected northern part of Gyeonggi, where development has been suppressed for a long time. Jeju is promoting administrative system reform to create three basic local governments by dividing Jeju City into East Jeju City and West Jeju City according to electoral districts. Jeju abolished four basic local governments and established a single metropolitan local government system when it launched as a special self-governing province in 2006. Since then, issues such as the erosion of grassroots democracy have been raised, and Jeju has embarked on administrative system reform to resolve these problems. Jeju aims to hold a resident referendum this November.

'Preventing Future Crisis'... Government Also Steps In

On the 13th, advisory committee members, including Lee Sang-min, Minister of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, are taking a commemorative photo at the launch ceremony of the Future-Oriented Administrative System Reform Advisory Committee held at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Jo Yong-jun jun21@

The reason why discussions on administrative system reform are more active than ever is that 'local extinction' is becoming a realistic threat. While many regions are aging and losing population due to low birth rates, the concentration in the metropolitan area is accelerating, prompting local governments to unite to enhance competitiveness. According to an Audit Office report, by 2047, 68.6% of local governments nationwide will be high-risk areas for population extinction.

The government also agrees on the necessity of reforming the local administrative system based on this judgment. Last month, at a forum held at Seoul National University’s Graduate School of Public Administration, Jeo Jung-hyeop, Director of the Local Autonomy Division at the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, emphasized, "It is urgent to redesign the administrative system at the government level to ensure citizens' quality of life and strengthen national competitiveness through balanced development," adding, "It is necessary to review new directions for the local administrative system to respond to changes in the administrative environment such as population decline and local extinction."

The Ministry of the Interior and Safety has also formed an organization to support practical work. In May, it launched the 'Future-Oriented Administrative System Reform Advisory Committee,' and earlier this month, it formed the 'Local Administrative System Reform Support Group' as an internal task force to support the advisory committee. The advisory committee plans to discuss topics such as local government integration and jurisdictional changes, identify key tasks, collect opinions by region, and prepare a 'Future-Oriented Administrative System Reform Recommendation.' The advisory committee’s operation period is six months but may be extended later. A Ministry of the Interior and Safety official said, "We have held three meetings so far, and only the basic direction has been discussed at this point."