July 10, Inauguration of the Presidential Committee for the Era of Local Autonomy Chairperson
"Starting with the Design of the Lee Jaemyung Administration's New Balanced Growth Strategy: '5 Regions and 3 Special Zones'"
Completion of Sejong as the Administrative Capital... "Rapid Promotion of the Sejong National Assembly Building"
On July 10, Kim Kyungsoo, Chairperson of the Presidential Committee for the Era of Local Autonomy, stated, "The new balanced growth strategy that will enable both the Seoul metropolitan area and non-metropolitan regions to grow together is the '5 Regions and 3 Special Zones' strategy." He added, "We must establish economic and living zones, including industry, jobs, education, healthcare, and housing, based on the five major mega-regions and three special autonomous provinces."
During his inauguration ceremony held at the main conference room of the Committee on the same day, Chairperson Kim said, "It is now time to move beyond the concentration in the Seoul metropolitan area and design a new growth strategy for Korea." He continued, "I will lead a major transformation in national balanced growth, centering on the '5 Regions and 3 Special Zones' strategy of the Lee Jaemyung administration."
He also emphasized that developing the blueprint for the '5 Regions and 3 Special Zones Balanced Growth Strategy' is the Committee's top priority.
Chairperson Kim said, "We will closely coordinate with the National Planning Committee to establish the specific direction of the 5 Regions and 3 Special Zones strategy, and we will formulate and implement detailed measures for its realization through close cooperation and discussion between the central government, local governments, and the private sector."
Kim referred to the achievements of the past 20 years, including the National Balanced Development Five-Year Plans, the Comprehensive Plan for Decentralization, and the construction of Sejong City and ten innovation cities. However, he pointed out that the concentration in the Seoul metropolitan area remains severe. He also stressed the importance of "completing Sejong as the administrative capital."
Chairperson Kim stated, "The construction of the National Assembly building and the presidential office in Sejong will proceed without delay and as quickly as possible," adding, "We will also pursue legal and institutional reforms necessary for the relocation and completion of the administrative capital."
He said, "Relocating the administrative capital is a challenging task that must be pursued simultaneously with establishing a new vision for the Seoul metropolitan area. However, regardless of the difficulties, the Committee for the Era of Local Autonomy must take the lead and ensure its success, as it is a symbolic project for national balanced growth." He emphasized, "We will keep the promises made to the people without fail."
He also stressed that the core of decentralization lies in the autonomy and accountability of local governments, and that restoring trust is necessary to build a relationship of trust with the central government.
Chairperson Kim said, "The era-defining tasks of balanced growth and expanding decentralization are not just the responsibility of the Lee Jaemyung administration, but are also core national policy tasks that will determine the future and fate of Korea." He urged the members of the Committee, "Please do your utmost with a sense of mission, as the Committee for the Era of Local Autonomy is at the forefront and serves as the control tower for national balanced growth and the expansion of decentralization."
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