Let's Decide TK Administrative Integration by Referendum... Daegu Civic Groups Say, "Currently Only Officials Are Involved in Discussions"

Civil groups in Daegu and Gyeongbuk have proposed deciding on the administrative integration of Daegu and Gyeongbuk through a resident referendum.

The preparatory committee of the Daegu-Gyeongbuk civic group "Tonghap Urisoneuro" held a press conference at the Daegu YMCA Youth Center on the afternoon of the 4th, stating, "The administrative integration of Daegu and Gyeongbuk is a very significant issue that concerns the interests of everyone living their daily lives in Daegu and Gyeongbuk. It is a critical decision that goes beyond simple administrative integration, affecting nearly all aspects of daily life, including the economy, society, culture, and welfare." They added, "However, the current discussions on integration are being pushed forward in a closed structure composed of related officials from Daegu City and Gyeongsangbuk-do and a few experts."

The preparatory committee of the Daegu civic group 'Tonghap Urisoneuro' proposed through a statement that the administrative integration of Daegu and Gyeongbuk should be decided by a resident referendum.

The civic group stated, "The current discussions on the administrative integration of Daegu and Gyeongbuk, which are centered around the heads of local governments, cannot draw active consent from the residents regardless of their actual content. Even if administrative integration is achieved in this way, it cannot guarantee satisfactory results in the subsequent process." They urged, "Daegu City and Gyeongbuk Province must sincerely communicate both the positive and negative impacts of the administrative integration to the residents, and must seek the opinions of the residents on whether to support or oppose the integration through a referendum."

The group continued, "The administrative integration of Daegu and Gyeongbuk can only be established on the premise that grassroots resident autonomy is strengthened at the basic local government level. There needs to be a system to check the powers of the strong local government leader that would emerge from the integration, and the special law on Daegu-Gyeongbuk administrative integration must include bold provisions for transferring federal-level decentralization and autonomous powers from the central government."

The preparatory committee of "Tonghap Urisoneuro" announced, "After holding the inaugural meeting on September 2, we plan to hold a Daegu-Gyeongbuk Administrative Integration Forum every month and conduct a series of discussions at basic local governments. In addition, we will launch a signature campaign to promote a resident referendum in October."