65% Support Administrative Integration of Daejeon and Chungnam

60.7% Want Integration Before the 2026 Local Elections
65.3% Say "It Will Be Economically Beneficial"

(Photo by Daejeon City)

A survey has found that 65% of residents support the administrative integration of Daejeon and Chungnam.

The Daejeon-Chungnam Administrative Integration Public-Private Council (co-chaired by Lee Changki and Jung Jaekeun) announced on the 17th that 6 out of 10 residents in Daejeon and Chungnam are in favor of pursuing regional integration, according to a public opinion poll.

This survey was commissioned by Munhwa Ilbo and conducted by the polling agency Embrain Public from July 11 to 14. The survey targeted 1,000 adults aged 18 and over residing in Daejeon and Chungnam through an online format. The sampling error is ±3.1 percentage points at a 95% confidence level.

According to the results, 65% of respondents said they "support" the Daejeon-Chungnam integration initiative. Of these, 16.9% answered "strongly support," and 48.1% answered "somewhat support." On the other hand, 35% responded that they "do not support" the initiative.

By region, support was highest in the northwest area of Chungnam (77.3%) and the southeast area (71.1%). By age group, those aged 60-69 (72.9%) and those in their 40s (69.1%) showed relatively high support rates. By occupation, self-employed individuals (76.3%) and unemployed or retired respondents (72.9%) showed high levels of support.

The most anticipated benefit of administrative integration was "economic effect." A total of 65.3% of respondents said it would be "economically beneficial," with 12.4% saying it would be "very effective" and 52.9% saying it would be "somewhat effective."

In particular, among those who supported the integration, 88.9% evaluated that integration would have a positive impact on the regional economy.

There was also a positive response regarding procedural progress. A total of 60.7% of all respondents said that "the integration process should be completed before the 2026 local elections," and among those who supported integration, as many as 81.5% agreed with the need for swift progress. This reflects local expectations for the enactment of special legislation and system improvements.

Lee Changki, co-chair of the council, stated, "Administrative integration is a reform of the administrative system to prevent regional extinction. The current government has also pledged to provide incentives such as region-led integration and special cases that reflect residents' intentions." He emphasized, "Policies that benefit residents should be implemented if they serve the national interest and public welfare, regardless of political advantage or disadvantage."

He added, "The results of this public opinion poll go beyond simple pros and cons and reflect the clear will of the residents. We hope the government will regard the Daejeon-Chungnam integration as a touchstone for administrative system reform and the starting point for fulfilling its pledges."

Jung Jaekeun, co-chair of the council, said, "I believe the results of this public opinion poll are a meaningful indicator of the high level of interest and expectation among Daejeon and Chungnam residents regarding administrative integration. The role and responsibility of the public-private council also weigh heavily on us."

He continued, "Administrative integration is not simply about merging administrative districts, but about newly designing the foundation of life, including regional identity, development direction, and residents' pride. We will continue to communicate more closely with residents and seek regional development measures such as administrative efficiency, fiscal decentralization, and balanced development."

Meanwhile, on July 14, the public-private council delivered the final draft of the "Special Act on the Establishment of Daejeon-Chungnam Special City and the Creation of an Economic and Science Capital" to the governors and chairpersons of the city and provincial councils.

The two regions are planning to promote a bill in the National Assembly in August, and subsequently aim for passage at the plenary session in December after review by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety and deliberation by the National Assembly.