Governor Kim Tae-heum Discusses Administrative Integration with Daejeon and Democratic Party Lawmakers from Chungnam

Holding a Meeting to Explain the Rationale...
"It Will Serve as an Opportunity to Strengthen the Competitiveness of the Entire Chungcheong Region"

Front view of the Chungnam Provincial Government Complex

Governor Kim Tae-heum of Chungnam is taking active steps to realize the administrative integration of Chungnam and Daejeon, holding a meeting with National Assembly members from the Democratic Party of Korea representing the Chungnam region to engage in in-depth discussions.

According to Chungnam Province on the 13th, Governor Kim Tae-heum recently held a closed-door meeting in Yeouido, Seoul, inviting Democratic Party National Assembly members from Chungnam to discuss accelerating the administrative integration of Chungnam and Daejeon.

At the meeting, Governor Kim stated, "The administrative integration of Chungnam and Daejeon is not simply a reorganization of administrative districts, but an important opportunity to strengthen the competitiveness of the entire Chungcheong region and revitalize the local economy." He added, "To overcome the crisis of regional extinction, it is necessary for Chungnam and Daejeon to integrate their economic and living spheres, enhance the efficiency of local autonomy, and respond to the dominance of the Seoul metropolitan area."

At the meeting, the National Assembly members from Chungnam emphasized, "It is important to set the direction of administrative integration in line with the expectations of Chungnam residents and Daejeon citizens," and requested, "First and foremost, it is necessary to build consensus so that the integration process can be sufficiently shared in advance with residents and citizens."

In particular, the lawmakers stressed, "We must clearly present the benefits and vision to Chungnam residents and secure their consent."

The province plans to continue consulting with local National Assembly members and relevant organizations, actively collecting residents' opinions and supplementing policy logic, to ensure that the administrative integration of Chungnam and Daejeon leads to tangible results and to strengthen cooperation with the central government.

A provincial official said, "If administrative integration is successfully promoted, it is expected to significantly contribute to enhancing the efficiency of metropolitan administration and achieving balanced regional development," adding, "Through transparent information sharing and active communication, we will work together with residents to create a future through the administrative integration of Chungnam and Daejeon."