Special Act for Launch of "Daejeon-Chungnam Special City" Proposed in National Assembly

Proposal of the "Daejeon-Chungnam Administrative Integration Special Act"
Sponsored by Assemblyman Sung Iljong, with 45 co-sponsors including People Power Party representative Jang Donghyuk

Daejeon City Hall Exterior (Photo by Mo Seokbong)

A special law for the establishment of the "Daejeon-Chungnam Special City" has been proposed in the National Assembly.

The city of Daejeon and the province of Chungnam announced on September 30 that the "Special Act on the Establishment of Daejeon-Chungnam Special City and the Creation of an Economic and Science Capital" (hereinafter referred to as the Special Act) was submitted to the National Assembly.

Both local governments plan to focus their administrative resources to ensure the Special Act passes the National Assembly so that the Daejeon-Chungnam Special City can be launched in July next year. They also intend to request bipartisan support.

The two regions are pursuing administrative integration with the goal of overcoming the nation’s low-growth phase by building an economic and science capital that achieves "economies of scale," going beyond simple administrative unification.

This Special Act was prepared based on the final proposal produced by the Daejeon-Chungnam Administrative Integration Public-Private Council on July 14, after gathering opinions from both local councils.

The Special Act consists of 296 articles and aims to address the problems of centralized authority and finances, which have been pointed out as structural limitations during the 30 years of local autonomy.

The main contents include: ▲ the establishment and operation of the Daejeon-Chungnam Special City; ▲ strengthening of local autonomy; ▲ the creation of an economic and science capital; as well as reforms, decentralization, and support at a level comparable to a national overhaul.

The bill was sponsored by Assemblyman Sung Iljong, with 45 National Assembly members, including Jang Donghyuk, the People Power Party representative, joining as co-sponsors. The Special Act is expected to be discussed at a public hearing and reviewed by the National Assembly’s Public Administration and Security Committee before being brought to the plenary session.

Mayor Lee Jangwoo emphasized, "Integration is a calling of our times to overcome the dominance of the Seoul metropolitan area and to secure competitiveness for the Chungcheong region," adding, "The administrative integration of Daejeon and Chungnam is not merely a reorganization of administrative districts, but a new challenge to prepare for balanced national development and the next 100 years of Korea’s future."

Governor Kim Taeheum stated, "For balanced national development and the creation of new growth engines in Korea, autonomy and financial support at the regional-national level are essential," adding, "If Daejeon and Chungnam are united, they will immediately emerge as one of the world’s top 60 cities."