The Nation's First Special Local Government 'Chungcheong Metropolitan Union' Launched... "Aiming to Become a New Center for Balanced National Development"

Governors of Four Chungcheong Provinces Pledge Mutual Growth and a New Leap Forward for the Local Era

The inauguration ceremony of the 'Chungcheong Regional Union', the nation's first special local government organization, was held on the 18th at the Government Sejong Convention Center.

The ceremony was attended by Woo Donggi, Chairman of the Local Era Committee, Lee Jangwoo, Mayor of Daejeon, Choi Minho, Mayor of Sejong, Kim Taeheum, Governor of South Chungcheong, Kim Younghwan, Governor of North Chungcheong, as well as the chairpersons of the city and provincial councils from the four Chungcheong region cities and provinces, and Kim Minjae, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety.

The Chungcheong Regional Union is a special local government organization established through the cooperation of the four cities and provinces in the Chungcheong region, aiming to realize local autonomy and balanced regional development, and to respond to the crisis of local extinction caused by the concentration in the capital area.

The launch of the Chungcheong Regional Union is significant as it marks the first time in the country that the Chungcheong region has united to promote a special local government organization for national balanced development and the realization of the local era, despite challenging circumstances.

Kim Younghwan, Governor of North Chungcheong and the first head of the Chungcheong Regional Union, stated, "The inauguration of the Chungcheong Regional Union is a historic moment that signals a new leap forward for national balanced development in Korea as the four cities and provinces of the Chungcheong region unite as one," adding, "All members will work together so that the Chungcheong region can become the center of Korea through cooperation and mutual growth."

Lee Jangwoo, Mayor of Daejeon, said, "As this is the nation's first regional union, there were many difficulties, but they have been resolved, and now it is important to ensure a successful settlement," emphasizing, "Solid collaboration with mutual growth and cooperation as the highest values is necessary."

He continued, "For the union to function properly, it is necessary to expand substantial autonomy and financial authority," and stressed, "We will do our best to ensure that administrative and financial support measures from the central government can be prepared through joint proposals from the Chungcheong region."

Kim Minjae, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, said in his congratulatory remarks, "The launch of the Chungcheong Regional Union will unite the Chungcheong region into a wide-area living and economic zone, strengthen balanced development and regional competitiveness, and become a turning point for Korea's future," adding, "The government will also actively support it."

The Chungcheong Regional Union will have its office in the Cheongam Building located in Eojin-dong, Sejong City, with 60 staff members dispatched from the four Chungcheong region cities and provinces, and will carry out joint administrative tasks in 20 fields, including transportation infrastructure, industrial economy, culture, and international exchange.