Democratic Party Accelerates Talks on Daejeon-South Chungcheong Administrative Integration

The Democratic Party of Korea is accelerating discussions on the administrative integration of Daejeon and South Chungcheong Province.

Jeong Cheongrae, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the 2nd plenary meeting of the Special Committee on Chungnam-Daejeon Integration and Development of the Chungcheong Region held at the National Assembly on the 6th. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

On the morning of January 6, the Democratic Party’s Special Committee on Chungnam-Daejeon Integration and Development of the Chungcheong Region held its second plenary meeting in the party leader’s conference room at the National Assembly, beginning practical work toward the administrative integration of Daejeon and South Chungcheong Province.

Party leader Jeong Cheongrae, who attended the special committee’s working-level meetings twice, stated in his opening remarks, “I have personally introduced myself as someone born in Chungcheong and raised in Daejeon, but I feel that soon I will be able to say I was both born and raised by Chungcheong and Daejeon at the same time.” He added, “If Daejeon and South Chungcheong Province are integrated, there will be a synergistic effect.” Jeong also said, “If Chungnam and Daejeon are integrated, a unified economic zone with a population of 3.6 million and a gross regional product of 190 trillion won will be created. Chungnam and Daejeon will be within a 60-minute living radius, enabling mutual synergy, and all these processes will be carried out through democratic procedures.”

Hwang Myungseon, who heads the special committee, said, “The importance of balanced national development, growth, and integration is a role we must fulfill.” He continued, “If all 15 cities and counties of South Chungcheong Province and 5 districts of Daejeon-20 local governments in total-are unified, then, as the tentatively named Chungcheong Special City, both industry and culture will develop together on a large scale.”

The meeting was attended by lawmakers Park Beomgye, Uh Kigoo, Jang Cheolmin, Cho Seungrae, and Hwang Jeonga, who represent constituencies in Daejeon and South Chungcheong Province, as well as former Daejeon Mayor Heo Taejeong.