Jeong Cheongrae: "A Full-Fledged Start to Balanced National Development"
Special Law Aimed for Passage by End of February... Weekly Meetings Planned
A special committee leading discussions on the integration of Daejeon and Chungnam and the development of the Chungcheong region within the Democratic Party of Korea will also include lawmakers from the Chungbuk area. With the goal of passing the special law on the integration of Daejeon and Chungnam in the National Assembly by the end of February, the committee will hold regular meetings once a week.
Jeong Cheongrae, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is taking a commemorative photo with participants at the 1st plenary meeting of the Special Committee on Daejeon-Chungnam Integration and Chungcheong Region Development held at the National Assembly on the 24th. 2025.12.24 Photo by Kim Hyunmin
On December 24 at the National Assembly in Yeouido, the Democratic Party of Korea held the "Inaugural Ceremony and 1st Plenary Meeting of the Special Committee on Daejeon-Chungnam Integration and Chungcheong Region Development." At the ceremony, Jeong Cheongrae, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, described the integration of Daejeon and Chungnam as "the real beginning of balanced national development," adding, "Since several administrative procedures are already underway, if the law passes in the National Assembly, integration could be achieved within as little as a month."
Hwang Myungseon, Supreme Council member and chairperson of the committee, stated, "We will ensure that the integrated region has financial resources and local autonomy on par with Seoul Metropolitan City and Jeju Special Self-Governing Province." Hwang also explained, "Throughout January, we will conduct a public consultation process to thoroughly gather the opinions of Chungnam residents and Daejeon citizens. Incorporating these views, we will propose the special law in January next year, or by early February at the latest, and have it processed in the National Assembly in February." He added, "We plan to elect the integrated city mayor on June 3 (local elections) and launch the integrated special city on July 1."
The special committee was formed after President Lee Jaemyung invited Democratic Party lawmakers from Daejeon and Chungnam to a luncheon meeting at the presidential office on December 18. Details such as the name and government office of the integrated city will be decided by the committee after gathering opinions. The committee is jointly chaired by lawmakers Park Beomgye, Lee Jeongmoon, and Park Junghyun, and includes lawmakers representing Daejeon and Chungnam districts, regional committee chairs, and heads of local governments as members.
Jeong Cheongrae, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the 1st plenary meeting of the Special Committee on Daejeon-Chungnam Integration and Chungcheong Region Development held at the National Assembly on December 24, 2025. Photo by Kim Hyunmin
The integration of Daejeon and Chungnam is seen as the starting point of the "Five Regions, Three Special Zones" policy, a key national agenda of the Lee Jaemyung administration. The administration plans to divide the country into five major regions-Seoul Metropolitan Area, Southeastern Region (Busan, Ulsan, Gyeongnam), Daegu-Gyeongbuk Region, Central Region (Chungcheong), and Honam Region-and three special self-governing provinces-Jeju, Gangwon, and Jeonbuk-to achieve balanced national growth. Jeong Cheongrae also expressed his expectations, saying, "This is the first step of the Lee Jaemyung administration's 'Five Regions, Three Special Zones' initiative. If an integrated economic zone with a population of 3.6 million and a gross regional product of 190 trillion won is created, Chungcheong will become a new driving force for Korea."
Lawmakers from the Chungbuk region are also expected to participate in future meetings. After a closed-door session, co-chair Park Junghyun told reporters, "We are encouraging Chungbuk lawmakers to participate, and since active discussions are underway in Chungbuk as well, they will join the next meeting. The reason we named it the Chungcheong Development Special Committee is that Chungbuk must be included for the Chungcheong region to become a megacity." Democratic Party lawmakers from Chungbuk include Lee Kangil, Lee Gwanghee, Lee Yeonhee, Song Jaebong, and Lim Hoseon.
The special committee has decided to hold regular meetings once a week. Co-chair Park Junghyun said, "We will make every effort to pass the bill by the end of February," adding, "To build consensus, we plan to set up task forces within the city and provincial party branches and regional committees." She continued, "Since there have been activities to establish an administrative capital, we will conduct our activities in a similar manner. For certain issues, we plan to establish subcommittees and advisory panels within the special committee." The next meeting is scheduled for January 6.
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