National Policy Planning Committee: "Balanced National Development, an Urgent Task of Our Time"

Meeting with Kim Kyungsoo, Chairman of the Local Era Committee

On July 14, Lee Hanju, Chairman of the National Policy Planning Committee, stated, "Balanced national development is an urgent and unavoidable task of our era, necessary to restart the growth engine of South Korea that is losing momentum."

Kim Kyungsoo, Chairman of the Local Era Committee, is delivering his inaugural speech at the inauguration ceremony held on the 10th at the Local Era Committee in Sejong City. Photo by Yonhap News

Chairman Lee made these remarks during a meeting with Kim Kyungsoo, Chairman of the Presidential Committee for the Local Era, held at the annex of the Government Complex Seoul in Changseong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul. He said, "Balanced national development is a mission that this administration must pursue with its full commitment for the future of South Korea."

He added, "It is not balanced development for the government to simply redistribute resources and opportunities concentrated in the capital region to the provinces," and emphasized, "It will require a diverse and complex set of tasks encompassing industry, space, and quality of life."

He continued, "Only by consolidating the capabilities of both the central and local governments can we finally begin to lay the foundation," stressing, "I believe the role of the Local Era Committee will be absolutely crucial."

Park Suhyeon, a Democratic Party lawmaker and Chairman of the Special Committee for Balanced National Development, attended the meeting and said, "For true growth in South Korea, a paradigm shift is needed in which balanced national development is completed through local growth." He continued, "Starting with this meeting, I hope the two committees will closely cooperate to quickly formulate and implement effective strategies."

Lee Haesik, Head of the Political and Administrative Division of the National Policy Planning Committee, said, "Although this year marks the 30th anniversary of the launch of locally elected governments, local governments still lack substantial authority." He emphasized, "To enhance balanced national growth and the quality of life for residents, fiscal authority must be boldly transferred to local governments."

In response, Kim Kyungsoo, Chairman of the Local Era Committee, said, "Balanced growth strategies, including the 'Five Regions and Three Special Zones' ('5geuk3teuk'), and balanced local autonomy development are not just one of the government tasks we are pursuing, but a critical issue that determines the future of South Korea." He added, "The President has repeatedly emphasized the importance of this issue, and it is a core government agenda item that the President is personally overseeing."

He continued, "The issue is speed," and requested, "I hope we can discuss here how to best implement this agenda, including the implementation system, and that you will also help discuss the tasks needed for the Local Era Committee to perform its work effectively."