Daegu Metropolitan Council Opposes Daegu-Gyeongbuk Integration Under 'Integration First, Supplementation Later'... "Clarify 20 Trillion Won Support and Seat Asymmetry"

The Daegu Metropolitan Council announced on the 23rd that it opposes the current Daegu-Gyeongbuk administrative integration being pushed forward under the principle of 'integration first, supplementation later'.

The Daegu Metropolitan Council held a press conference in front of the council building at 11 a.m. that day and stated, "Our decision to agree to integration in December 2024 was premised on a 'genuine integration', including the substantial transfer of central government authority," adding, "However, the revised bill now being pursued in the National Assembly, called the Special Act on Integration, has significantly deviated from that original purpose and direction. Many core special provisions have been deleted or watered down into optional clauses."

Daegu Metropolitan Council

The Daegu Metropolitan Council went on to say, "Even the plan for government fiscal incentives worth 20 trillion won, which was the driving force behind relaunching the initiative, has not been concretely reflected. Furthermore, if integration proceeds without any corrective measures within the structurally asymmetric framework of 33 seats for Daegu and 60 seats for North Gyeongsang Province, it will directly contradict the principle of equal suffrage and the principles of representative democracy."

The Daegu Metropolitan Council stated, "We agree with the overarching goal of integration, but we firmly oppose a hasty integration. The approach of 'integration first, supplementation later' is not a responsible attitude. An integration driven as a speed race will only cause conflict and confusion," and demanded opposition to integration without the 20 trillion won in fiscal support, opposition to integration being pursued while leaving the asymmetry in the number of assembly seats unaddressed, and opposition to integration without guarantees for the key special provisions on the transfer of authority.

Lee Mankyu, Chairperson of the Daegu Metropolitan Council, said, "There must be clear provisions on the 20 trillion won in support and on the asymmetry in the number of seats. If these issues are not clarified, we will oppose the Daegu-Gyeongbuk administrative integration."