"Securing Autonomy and Special Privileges Equivalent to a U.S. State Government" Needed
Lee Jangwoo, Mayor of Daejeon, stated, "If Daejeon and South Chungcheong Province are integrated, a new major metropolitan city with a population approaching 3.6 million will emerge, following Gyeonggi Province (approximately 13.72 million) and Seoul (approximately 9.3 million). Therefore, we must secure autonomy and special privileges equivalent to those of a U.S. state government."
During the weekly work meeting he presided over on the 22nd, Mayor Lee said, "Our goal is to move away from a central government-dependent administration and to establish an autonomous administrative system in which the region makes its own decisions and takes responsibility." He added, "To achieve this, assign highly skilled core personnel to the administrative integration task force, and actively incorporate the opinions of public-private consultative bodies and experts such as public administration scholars. Design the system from the perspective of balanced national development."
Mayor Lee positioned the administrative integration of Daejeon and South Chungcheong Province as a key strategy for the future development of the Chungcheong region, and instructed departments on major policy directions and specific implementation tasks accordingly.
He emphasized that administrative integration is not a political issue, but rather a historic mission to dramatically strengthen national competitiveness amid the deepening concentration in the capital area and the crisis of regional extinction. Daejeon City aims to establish a super-regional autonomous government to achieve economies of scale.
He also instructed all departments to actively reflect strategies for expanding autonomy and transferring central government authority, assuming the launch of the Daejeon-South Chungcheong integration, when formulating next year's work plans.
Mayor Lee said, "The administrative integration of Daejeon and South Chungcheong Province is not about short-term results, but a structural reform for future generations. Focusing on political gains or losses goes against the greater cause, and through responsible execution by public officials, we will transform into a world-class city representing Korea."
He reaffirmed the principle of steadily advancing all key issues without delays, regardless of the timeline or developments related to administrative integration.
Above all, he gave specific instructions for the implementation of major projects that are highly relevant to citizens' daily lives.
Mayor Lee said, "Pickleball facilities at the World Cup Stadium should be quickly established so that club members can use them, and for the Yuseong Complex Terminal, which will begin operations in January next year, complete the construction and thoroughly inspect routes and convenience facilities to minimize inconvenience for citizens."
He also directed that all major projects, such as the location guide for the 45 stations of Daejeon Metro Line 2, should include expanded visual promotions so that citizens can easily see what changes are being made and where.
Regarding library policy, he said, "Quickly finalize the plan for the Central Library in Ojeong-dong, and work toward establishing a regional hub library system, including a new municipal library in Yuseong District."
Mayor Lee reiterated his philosophy that "Our region is built by our own hands," and instructed, "Department heads must ensure stable management of major projects to prevent any administrative gaps at the end and beginning of the year."
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