President Lee Meets Local Government Heads: "No Future for South Korea if We Can't Resolve Metropolitan Explosion and Local Extinction"

227 Local Government Leaders Invited to the Blue House Luncheon

“Expanding Real Authority and Financial Resources for Regions... Stronger Support for Areas Farther from Seoul”

“Central and Local Governments Must Be One Team”

Accelerat

On August 27, President Lee Jae-myung stated, "The crisis of overconcentration in the Seoul metropolitan area and the risk of depopulation in regional areas are simultaneously threatening the Republic of Korea from both sides," adding, "If we cannot resolve these issues, there is no future for our country." He emphasized that the administration will expand genuine authority and financial resources for the regions so that they can devise their own growth strategies, and will continue policies for balanced development, providing greater support to localities the farther they are from Seoul.

President Lee Jae-myung is giving a greeting speech at the lunch meeting inviting mayors, county governors, and district chiefs of the 9th local government, held at the Blue House on the 27th. 2026.8.27 Yonhap News Agency

President Lee held a luncheon with 227 mayors, county governors, and district chiefs of the 9th directly elected local governments at the Blue House’s State Guest House on the same day. He said, "Only by easing chronic concentration in the Seoul metropolitan area and awakening the potential of the entire country to create an 'Era of Growth for All,' in which every region leaps forward together, will we finally have a future and hope." This was the first time since the inauguration of the 9th-term local governments last month that President Lee met in person with the heads of basic local governments.

President Lee presented the dismantling of the one-pole system centered on the Seoul metropolitan area as a national imperative for survival. He noted, "This year marks the 31st anniversary of directly elected local governments. While local governments’ capabilities and roles have grown significantly, there remain many challenges to address." He identified overconcentration in the metropolitan area, regional depopulation, and low birth rates coupled with an aging society as the main crises facing the nation.

He continued by citing the government's ongoing initiatives revolving around the "5 Poles, 3 Special Zones" strategy for reorganizing the national territory and the three major megaprojects, explaining, "The reason we are actively working to overhaul the industrial landscape across the entire country and improve local living conditions, including housing, education, welfare, and culture, is precisely because of these challenges."

As a means of achieving balanced development, he repeatedly stressed "locally led growth." President Lee said, "We will continue working to expand the actual authority and financial resources of local governments so that each region, making the most of its own characteristics and advantages, can plan, grow, and advance independently."

He added, "We have introduced a special local support system to ensure that the farther a region is from Seoul, the greater the support it receives," and announced plans to continuously develop support measures tailored to local circumstances. He also called on local governments to proactively propose practical and reasonable suggestions whenever opportunities arise. He cited educational investment for cultivating talent and skills, as well as intensive investment in metropolitan transportation, cultural facilities, and tourism policies, as essential foundations for locally led growth.

Cho Jaegu, Mayor of Nam-gu, Daegu, who is also the Chair of the Association of Mayors, County Governors, and District Heads, is speaking at the luncheon meeting hosted by President Lee Jae-myung on August 27, 2026, at the Blue House. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

President Lee also called for cooperation between central and local administrations. He said, "Local governments are on the frontlines, closest to citizens, where they can protect and transform people’s lives. The beginning of administration, the completion of welfare, and the seeds of innovation all originate in the regions." He stressed, "It is essential for the central and local governments to work together in overcoming the one-pole metropolitan system and ensuring coexistence and development of both metropolitan and regional areas. The central and local governments must form one team, matching their steps in unity and with one mind."

Cho Jaegu, Chair of the Association of Mayors, County Governors, and District Heads (who is also Mayor of Nam-gu, Daegu), expressed gratitude for expanding participation of heads of basic local governments in the Central-Local Cooperation Council and for allowing the Association Chairperson to attend State Council meetings. Chairman Cho said, "Local governments have consistently provided a firm support system in times of national disasters such as wildfires, typhoons, and infectious diseases. I hope this marks a new starting point, where central and local governments become true partners in state administration based on mutual understanding and trust."

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