Kim Taehum: "Administrative Integration Incentives Are Mere Sugarcoating; Presidential Decision Needed"

Expressing Strong Disappointment with the Government Plan
"Incorporating Integration Without the 257 Special Provisions Is Just an Empty Shell"

Kim Taehum, Governor of Chungnam Province

Kim Taehum, Governor of Chungnam Province, sharply criticized the government's announced "Metropolitan Local Government Administrative Integration Incentive Plan," urging President Lee Jaemyung to personally step in and make a decisive commitment to incorporate the original version of the Special Act on Administrative Integration.

Governor Kim argued that the government's incentives are merely a stopgap measure that retreats from local autonomy, as they focus only on financial support without transferring any real authority.

On January 16, immediately following Prime Minister Kim Minseok's briefing on the administrative integration incentives, Governor Kim held an emergency press conference at the Chungnam Provincial Government Press Center, stating, "Various measures, including financial support, have been proposed regarding the Daejeon-Chungnam administrative integration, but they are extremely disappointing."

The government's proposed incentives include up to 5 trillion won per year in financial support for the integrated special city (up to 20 trillion won over four years), granting a status equivalent to that of Seoul Special City, preferential relocation of public institutions, and the transfer of certain national special administrative agency functions.

However, Governor Kim pointed out, "This is completely different from the 257 special provisions requested by Daejeon City and Chungnam Province," adding, "The core elements are missing, leaving only the packaging."

Regarding financial matters, Governor Kim stressed, "We requested a permanent restructuring of the fiscal system amounting to 8.8 trillion won per year, including the transfer of capital gains tax, corporate tax, and value-added tax, but the government's plan only offers temporary support for four years." He continued, "Unless a comprehensive tax overhaul is legislated, the integrated city will inevitably face fiscal instability in the mid- to long-term."

He further criticized, "In short, this is nothing more than sugarcoating to appease a crying child."

Governor Kim also stated, "None of the core issues we requested, such as exemption from preliminary feasibility studies, authority to convert farmland, or designation of national industrial complexes, were included. This merely reflects the ministries' unwillingness to relinquish central authority."

He emphasized, "The Daejeon-Chungnam administrative integration is not just a simple administrative district reorganization, but a test bed for balanced national development. I strongly urge President Lee Jaemyung to carefully consider and make a decision on the original version of the special act proposed by Daejeon City and Chungnam Province."

He added, "For genuine local autonomy, the transfer of national taxes is essential, and the permanent transfer of capital gains tax, corporate tax, and value-added tax must be included in the legislation. Now is the time to endure the pains necessary to give birth to the 'baby' that is administrative integration."

Governor Kim concluded, "We will closely monitor the review process of the special act and respond responsibly until our demands are fully reflected in the legislation."