Lee Youngsoo, Democratic Party Gyeongbuk Chair, Says "Public Discussion on Administrative Integration Needed"...Urges Lee Cheolwoo, Gyeongbuk Governor

"TK Administrative Integration: A Task of the Times"
"We Urge the Democratic Party's Active Support"

Lee Youngsoo, Chairperson of the Democratic Party of Korea's North Gyeongsang Provincial Chapter, met with Lee Cheolwoo, Governor of North Gyeongsang Province, on the 1st to discuss securing next year's national budget for North Gyeongsang Province and current issues such as the ongoing controversy over the administrative integration of Daegu and North Gyeongsang.

Lee Youngsoo, along with North Gyeongsang Provincial Council members Lim Gijin and Kim Kyungsook, as well as other officials from the provincial chapter, visited the North Gyeongsang Provincial Government Office. After an introductory meeting with Governor Lee Cheolwoo, they walked together along the barefoot walking trail in the Millennium Forest in front of the provincial office, as suggested by Governor Lee. During the walk, they engaged in in-depth discussions about the direction of provincial governance and ways to cooperate between the Democratic Party's North Gyeongsang Chapter and the provincial government.

Lee Youngsu, chairman of the Democratic Party Gyeongbuk Provincial Committee (left), is visiting the Gyeongbuk Provincial Office and having a conversation with Lee Cheolwoo, governor of Gyeongbuk.

Chairperson Lee Youngsoo pointed out, "There are significant concerns among citizens about the unilateral push for the administrative integration of Daegu and North Gyeongsang," and urged that sufficient public opinion gathering and consensus-building processes be carried out.

He then discussed the process of securing next year's national budget for North Gyeongsang Province and stated, "Regarding future budget issues and various local matters, the provincial chapter will cooperate in a bipartisan manner."

Governor Lee Cheolwoo said, "Since the population decline is more severe in Daegu, the integration of Daegu and North Gyeongsang is a generational task and a common goal for both regions," and added, "I hope for the Democratic Party's interest and support not only in securing the national budget for North Gyeongsang but also in the crucial administrative integration of Daegu and North Gyeongsang, which is key to securing autonomy."

Meanwhile, Chairperson Lee Youngsoo stated that the North Gyeongsang Provincial Chapter would take the lead in actively reviewing and proposing alternatives regarding provincial governance, as well as serving as a bridge between the central party and the National Assembly, to demonstrate political leadership for the development of North Gyeongsang Province.