High Support Among Northwest Chungnam Residents, Those in Their 60s, and the Self-Employed
"Integration Should Be Completed Before the 2026 Local Elections," Say 60.7%
A recent public opinion poll shows that a majority of residents in Daejeon and Chungnam support the administrative integration of the two regions.
The Daejeon-Chungnam Administrative Integration Public-Private Council (co-chaired by Lee Changki and Jung Jaekeun) announced on the 18th that 65% of local residents are in favor of the integration, according to the results of a survey.
This survey was commissioned by Munhwa Ilbo and conducted by the polling agency Embrain Public from July 11 to 14, targeting 1,000 adults aged 18 and older residing in Daejeon and Chungnam, using an online format. The margin of error is ±3.1 percentage points at a 95% confidence level.
Among respondents, 16.9% said they "strongly agree" and 48.1% said they "somewhat agree," meaning a total of 65% expressed a positive stance towards the integration initiative.
On the other hand, 35% responded that they "do not agree." By region, the support rate was higher in the northwest area of Chungnam (77.3%) and the southeast area (71.1%). By age group, support was higher among those aged 60-69 (72.9%) and those in their 40s (69.1%). By occupation, the support rate was higher among self-employed individuals (76.3%) and the unemployed or retired (72.9%).
The most anticipated benefit of the integration was cited as "economic effects." A total of 65.3% of all respondents answered that "it will be economically beneficial," with 12.4% saying "it will be very effective" and 52.9% saying "it will be somewhat effective."
Among those who said they support the integration, 88.9% evaluated that it would have a positive impact on the local economy.
There was also a high level of positive response regarding the procedural progress. A total of 60.7% of all respondents said "the integration procedures should be completed before the 2026 local elections," and among those who support the integration, 81.5% agreed with the need for swift progress, indicating high expectations for a speedy process.
Co-chair Lee Changki stated, "Administrative integration is a reform of the administrative system to prevent regional extinction, and it is also a pledge of the current government. If a policy benefits residents, it should be pursued from the perspective of national interest and public welfare, without considering political gains or losses."
He added, "The results of this survey reflect not just simple support or opposition, but the clear will of city and provincial residents. Therefore, the government should use this as a starting point for fulfilling its pledge."
Co-chair Jung Jaekeun also stated, "This public opinion poll is an important indicator that shows the high expectations of city and provincial residents," and emphasized, "Administrative integration is not just a simple merger of administrative districts, but a process of redesigning the region's future."
He added, "We will continue to communicate closely with residents and concretize practical 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 for the Establishment of Daejeon-Chungnam Special City and the Creation of an Economic and Science Capital" to the governors and the chairs of the city and provincial councils.
The two local governments aim to submit the bill to the National Assembly in August, and are pushing for its passage at the plenary session in December after review by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety and deliberation by the National Assembly.
The public-private council plans to continue related procedures, such as submitting the integration proposal, so that the integration initiative can be fully launched at the government level.
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