Direct Opposition to Government’s Administrative Integration Incentive Plan
“Rushed Proposal Lacking Authority and Financial Resources;
Unilateral Action by the Democratic Party Also Rejected”
Kim Taehum, Governor of Chungnam Province, has directly targeted President Lee Jaemyung over the government’s incentive plan regarding the administrative integration of Daejeon and Chungnam.
Governor Kim criticized the government proposal, calling it “a hasty plan that is nothing more than sugarcoating to appease a crying child,” and stated, “Administrative integration without the transfer of substantial authority and financial resources is a choice that will undermine long-term national interests.”
He further urged President Lee, saying, “You must make a decisive move by providing clear guidelines to each ministry so that genuine local autonomy and decentralization can be achieved.”
During the 82nd Directors’ Meeting held in the main conference room of the provincial government office on the 19th, Governor Kim stated, “It is difficult to accept the government’s incentive plan for Daejeon-Chungnam administrative integration, announced last Friday, unless it guarantees the transfer of real authority and financial resources.”
He particularly pointed out, “Chungnam and Daejeon requested the transfer of financial resources worth 8.8 trillion won, including corporate tax and value-added tax, but the government proposal falls far short of this. Rather than a structure that provides permanent support through comprehensive tax reform, it is limited to temporary support for just four years.”
He continued, “This approach is merely a stopgap that cannot ensure the sustainability of the integrated special city-in short, it is just sugarcoating.”
Governor Kim also said, “Crucial authorities that will determine the future of the region, such as exemption from preliminary feasibility studies, designation of national industrial complexes, and removal of agricultural promotion areas, are not included in the government’s proposal. Mere formal integration cannot overcome the dominance of the Seoul metropolitan area.”
He added, “The Republic of Korea does not belong solely to the Democratic Party. When we prepared and promoted the bill, those who were passive or opposed now suddenly support it just because the President spoke up. This cannot be seen as responsible politics.”
He further emphasized, “There must be sufficient discussion between the ruling and opposition parties in the National Assembly. Unilateral action led only by the Democratic Party is unacceptable.”
Governor Kim urged again, “President Lee Jaemyung, with your experience as Governor of Gyeonggi Province, you understand local administration better than anyone. Please make a decisive move by providing clear guidelines to each ministry so that genuine local autonomy and decentralization can be realized.”
Previously, on the 16th, Prime Minister Kim Minseok announced the government’s incentive plan for administrative integration, including Daejeon and Chungnam, at a joint briefing room in the Seoul Government Complex.
The government plan includes up to 20 trillion won in financial support for the integrated special city over four years, granting it a status equivalent to that of Seoul, increasing the number and rank of deputy mayors, and prioritizing the relocation of public institutions.
However, immediately after the briefing, Governor Kim held an emergency press conference and objected, saying, “The government’s plan differs from the 257 special provisions proposed by Daejeon and Chungnam, and is insufficient in both authority and financial resources.”
Lee Jangwoo, Mayor of Daejeon, also held a separate press conference, describing the plan as “disappointing and far below expectations.”
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