"Legislation and Judiciary Committee Chair Seo Younggyo Voices Support for Daegu-Gyeongbuk Administrative Integration... Sangsoo Lee from Gyeongbuk Province Visits National Assembly"

5 Trillion Won Support Confirmed for Gwangju Next Year

Sangsoo Lee, Director of the Local Government Strategy Bureau of Gyeongbuk Province, visited the National Assembly on September 8 and met with Seo Younggyo, Chairperson of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, to request the prompt review and passage of the "Daegu-Gyeongbuk Special Act on Administrative Integration," which is currently pending within the committee.

Director Lee emphasized that the administrative integration of Daegu and Gyeongbuk is not for the benefit of a specific region, but rather a task aimed at overcoming the dominance of the capital area, fostering growth momentum in other regions, and ultimately achieving balanced national development.

Sangsoo Lee, Director of the Local Government Strategy Bureau of Gyeongbuk Province (right), visited the National Assembly and met with Younggyo Seo, Chairwoman of the Judiciary Committee, to request the review and passage of the Daegu-Gyeongbuk Administrative Integration Act.

He added that for a region to independently design and implement growth strategies, substantial authority and financial support are necessary, and that administrative integration can serve as a new regional development model that enhances local autonomy and competitiveness.

Chairperson Seo expressed a deep understanding of the necessity and purpose of administrative integration and stated that she would make efforts to ensure it proceeds smoothly.

Meanwhile, for the Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Metropolitan City, launched in July, the government has finalized next year’s 5 trillion won support plan as part of the promised annual 5 trillion won, up to a maximum of 20 trillion won over four years. Follow-up incentives, such as the creation of a fund to support integrated local governments, are also being implemented in earnest.

In the political sphere, Minseok Kim, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, mentioned on September 4 that the administrative integration of Daejeon and South Chungcheong Province remains an outstanding task promised by the party and candidates for local government heads, and expressed the intention to pursue it at an appropriate time and through proper procedures.

Gyeongbuk Province regards the National Assembly’s regular session in September as a critical turning point for advancing integration, and plans to continue actively engaging with Legislation and Judiciary Committee members, bipartisan leadership, and local lawmakers to explain the need for legislation and proactively respond to the bill’s review.

Furthermore, Cheolwoo Lee, Governor of Gyeongbuk Province, and Kyungho Choo, Mayor of Daegu, agreed at their meeting in July to work together to secure the special act's passage during the National Assembly's September session. Both regional governments intend to concentrate their efforts on persuading the National Assembly.

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