DPK: "Maximizing the Effects of Daejeon-Chungnam Integration Through Innovative Fiscal Decentralization"

The Democratic Party of Korea, which is promoting the administrative integration of Daejeon and Chungnam, announced on the 6th that it "will maximize the effects of integration based on innovative fiscal decentralization."

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

Hwang Myungseon, who serves as co-chair of the Special Committee on Chungnam-Daejeon Integration and Development of the Chungcheong Region within the Democratic Party, held a press briefing after the committee's second meeting at the main building of the National Assembly on this day. He stated, "We will launch the tentatively named Chungcheong Special City on June 1 so that Chungnam and Daejeon can become the cornerstone and model for balanced growth in South Korea, and so that the integrated mayor can be elected in the June 3 local elections."

Park Junghyun, who also serves as co-chair of the committee, said, "To gather local public opinion, we will form special committees and task forces at the level of city and provincial party chapters and regional committees, and hold promotional forums and public hearings." She added, "The central government has also agreed to take a more active role and cooperate."

Regarding the statement by Lee Jangwoo, the mayor of Daejeon from the People Power Party, that "a referendum could be held if a reasonable integration plan is not prepared," the committee expressed effective opposition, saying, "Since the voter turnout is likely to be low, it would be difficult to reflect public opinion through that tool."

Earlier, during the meeting, party leader Jeong Cheongrae emphasized the need to promptly push forward with the administrative integration of Daejeon and Chungnam, stating in his opening remarks, "I believe the development of the '5 Poles, 3 Special Zones' system is a historic task for balanced development under the Lee Jaemyung administration."