17 Governors Congratulate Lee Jaemyung on Presidential Election Victory

"Local Autonomy and Balanced Development Are the Calling of Our Time"
"Hope the New Government Becomes a Turning Point for National Unity"
"Local Governments Must Participate in Formulating National Policy Tasks"

The Association of Governors of Korea (Chairman: Yoo Jeongbok, Mayor of Incheon) issued a joint statement on June 4, congratulating Lee Jaemyung on his election as the 21st President of South Korea and expressing hope that the new government's fresh start will serve as a turning point for national unity.

In the joint statement, the Association emphasized that close cooperation between the central and local governments is essential to overcome the current crises facing South Korea, such as economic stagnation and regional extinction.

In particular, the Association pointed out that this year marks the 30th anniversary of locally elected governments, and stressed the need to strengthen local autonomy so that the national governance system, which has been centered on the central government, can be operated through cooperation between the central and local governments. To this end, they actively recommended the pursuit of a constitutional amendment for local autonomy.

The Association also requested the participation of the four major local government associations, including the Association of Governors of Korea, and the 17 metropolitan and provincial governments in the formulation of national policy tasks, so that local voices and diversity can be reflected in the new government's policies.

The Association stated, "As local governments are partners in national governance, we propose to convene the Central-Local Cooperation Council as soon as possible to discuss urgent issues such as revitalizing regional economies and the direction of national governance." They added, "Even before the Central-Local Cooperation Council is held, we suggest that the President and the governors of metropolitan and provincial governments meet."