Adoption of a Petition Containing Presidential Election Pledges
The Korea Association of Mayors, Governors, and District Heads (Chairman: Jaegu Cho, Mayor of Nam-gu, Daegu) held the '3rd Joint Chairpersons' Meeting of the 3rd Year of the 8th Popularly Elected Term' at the Integrative Medicine Convention Center in Jangheung-gun, Jeollanam-do on April 22, 2025.
Chairman Jaegu Cho stated, "Historically, local governments have always filled the void left by the central government during national disasters or political turmoil. Even now, 228 mayors, governors, and district heads across Korea are faithfully fulfilling their responsibilities," adding, "As we face a period of national transformation and the 21st presidential election, we have decided to announce policy pledges aimed at expanding and strengthening local autonomy and decentralization, based on autonomy, responsibility, and cooperation, to achieve a sustainable Korea."
Jaegu Cho, the chairman of the Korea Association of Mayors, Governors and District Heads (center), is reading the petition.
In the petition, Chairman Cho stressed, "We must move away from central-focused policies and structures to realize genuine local autonomy and decentralization," and emphasized that "the upcoming 21st presidential election will serve as a critical turning point in laying the foundation for a new Korea."
He continued, "We call on all political parties and presidential candidates, both ruling and opposition, to present effective visions for local decentralization and balanced national development." In particular, he highlighted the need for bold, nationwide policy shifts to expand local finances, and requested the adoption of the key presidential election pledges proposed by the association.
First, to ensure the sustainable development of Korea and genuine local autonomy and decentralization, the association calls for the promotion of a constitutional amendment for a decentralized government system. Second, to strengthen fiscal decentralization centered on independent local resources, the association proposes increasing the ordinary grant tax distribution rate by 5% and expanding the Local Extinction Response Fund to 5 trillion won. Third, for welfare decentralization based on cooperation and autonomy, the association insists that all necessary funds for integrated early childhood education and integrated care should be fully covered by the central government.
In particular, this meeting focused on discussing issues that need to be addressed in response to large-scale wildfires, a national disaster that recently occurred mainly in Ulsan, North Gyeongsang, and South Gyeongsang.
The association plans to actively identify and improve urgent issues at the city, county, and district levels, such as the proactive use of advanced technologies (AI), the advancement of wildfire response systems, and the expansion of monitoring systems, in light of these wildfires, which resulted in the largest ever loss of lives and property. To this end, the association held an expert forum on April 10, 2025, to receive advice on each stage of disaster safety management, including wildfires, and agreed to actively cooperate with the National Association of Governors of Korea to promote the enactment of a 'Special Act on Disaster and Accident Support.'
Additionally, Chairman Jaegu Cho personally visited the eight disaster-affected areas designated as special disaster zones to offer condolences and support for swift recovery and rehabilitation, delivering 40 million won in aid.
Meanwhile, Kim Youngrok, Governor of Jeollanam-do, who attended the joint chairpersons' meeting, stated in his congratulatory remarks, "The competitiveness of local governments is the competitiveness of the nation itself," emphasizing, "A constitutional amendment for decentralization and the strengthening of local capabilities through fiscal decentralization are not only the call of the times but also tasks that we must achieve together."
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