President Lee Hosts Luncheon Meeting
"Must Address Metropolitan Overpopulation"
Requests Review of Special Provisions
Presidential spokesperson Kang Yoo-jung announced that President Lee Jaemyung invited National Assembly members of the Democratic Party of Korea from Daejeon and South Chungcheong Province to the presidential office for a luncheon meeting on the 18th.
The meeting, moderated by Senior Secretary for Political Affairs Woo Sangho, began with opening remarks by President Lee. This was followed by greetings from Park Junghyun, the head of the Daejeon City Party Committee and representative for Daedeok-gu in Daejeon, and Lee Jeongmoon, the head of the South Chungcheong Provincial Party Committee and representative for Cheonan-si Byeong in South Chungcheong Province. The participants then shared lunch together.
President Lee emphasized that there is much work to be done, stating, "The integration of local governments is not easy, but policy decisions must go beyond complex political interests." He further stressed, "From the perspective of leading the future of the Republic of Korea, this is a historic issue, and we must consider integration as an alternative to the problem of overconcentration in the Seoul metropolitan area."
In response, Park Junghyun, head of the Daejeon City Party Committee, expressed agreement with the issue of excessive population concentration in the Seoul metropolitan area and said it is necessary to examine the economic effects of integrating Daejeon and South Chungcheong Province, which are at the crossroads of balanced growth and integration. Lee Jeongmoon, head of the South Chungcheong Provincial Party Committee, also expressed the need for active discussions.
President Lee suggested, "Solving the problem of concentration in the Seoul metropolitan area is the most important task," and proposed that "the integration of Daejeon and South Chungcheong Province could serve as a breakthrough for resolving overconcentration and achieving balanced growth." He added, "As the center of balanced growth and a new leap forward for the Republic of Korea, let's address issues such as the location and naming of administrative agencies in an open and forward-looking manner."
President Lee also emphasized that, ahead of the upcoming local elections, the central government must provide substantial and effective administrative support so that new heads of the integrated local government can be elected.
Additionally, President Lee urged the lawmakers from Daejeon and South Chungcheong Province to "ensure that all citizens enjoy the benefits of integration by reviewing special provisions in the broadest acceptable scope regarding fiscal decentralization and local autonomy." He also requested, "Since this is the first attempt at integration between metropolitan governments, please cooperate actively so that it can become a model case."
In response, the National Assembly members from Daejeon and South Chungcheong Province agreed to request the establishment of a preparatory body or special committee within the party that could eventually include North Chungcheong Province as well. They also continued discussions on introducing relevant legislation for the integration of Daejeon and South Chungcheong Province and on ways to gather opinions from local residents.
Spokesperson Kang stated, "The Lee Jaemyung administration will break the political deadlock that has stalled the integration of Daejeon and South Chungcheong Province, expand local governments based on the five major regions and three special zones, and realize balanced growth for the Republic of Korea."
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