Governor Kim Taeheum: "Integration Without Fiscal and Administrative Powers Is Hasty... National Tax Should Be 60, Local Tax 40"

"Opposing Administrative Integration Without Genuine Autonomy"
Calls for Provisions to Be Clearly Stipulated in the Special Act
"President Lee Jaemyung Must Make a Decisive Choice... Agreement Possible if Conditions Are Met"

Kim Taeheum, Governor of Chungnam Province

As debates intensify following the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee's decision to postpone the 'Daejeon-Chungnam Administrative Integration Special Act,' Kim Taeheum, Governor of Chungnam Province, has officially demanded the transfer of fiscal authority and powers as prerequisites for integration.

On February 27, Governor Kim stated in a public message, "As the person who first proposed and led the integration, I feel deeply regretful," but emphasized, "I still have absolutely no objection to the necessity of administrative integration."

However, regarding the current integration bill being promoted by the government and ruling party, he made clear his opposition, calling it a "hasty bill lacking the fiscal resources and powers needed for true local autonomy."

Governor Kim stressed that "integration should be about realizing autonomy" and that the core is not simply combining administrative districts, but securing a genuine foundation for self-governance.

He then laid out the conditions necessary for substantive integration.

Governor Kim called for "the establishment of a nationwide integration bill that applies equally to all regions, without local discrimination."

Regarding fiscal authority, he argued, "The current ratio of national tax to local tax is 75 to 25. This should be adjusted to 60 to 40, or at minimum 65 to 35, so that local governments can plan and execute budgets independently."

He also stated, "A significant transfer of authority is needed so that we can work responsibly without excessive interference from the central government."

Governor Kim firmly stated that all these provisions "must be explicitly stipulated in the special act."

At the same time, he left room for negotiation with the political community.

He said, "If the government and the ruling party fully accept these conditions, an agreement can still be reached even now."

In particular, he directly addressed President Lee Jaemyung, urging, "As the nation's chief administrator, please make a bold decision with a greater sense of responsibility."

He also called on the Democratic Party, saying, "Do not shift the blame for the postponement of integration onto others, but instead persuade the president."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.