The Democratic Party of Korea plans to pass special legislation for administrative integration in three regions, but the People Power Party opposes the Daejeon-Chungnam integration while supporting others, leading to political tensions.
On February 13, the Democratic Party of Korea announced its intention to push through special administrative integration legislation for three regions: Daejeon-Chungnam, Gwangju-Jeonnam, and Daegu-Gyeongbuk, during the upcoming temporary National Assembly session. This move comes as the People Power Party has shown a contradictory stance by supporting the Daegu-Gyeongbuk integration while opposing the Daejeon-Chungnam integration, failing to clarify its position amidst pressures related to the approaching local elections in June. Democratic Party spokesperson Park Soo-hyun emphasized the importance of local growth as a foundation for national growth, asserting that they would do their utmost to ensure the legislation passes through the National Assembly before the end of February.
The rapid progression of the legislative efforts follows the approval of the administrative integration special legislation by the National Assembly's Administrative Safety Committee. Yoon Geon-young, the ruling party's member of the committee, insisted that to apply the new integrated local governments in the upcoming elections, the legislation must be processed in the National Assembly by February. However, opposition from the People Power Party has surfaced, who held a press conference expressing their denial of the Daejeon-Chungnam integration on financial and authority devolution grounds, highlighting that if the Democratic Party continues its legislative push with political intent rather than genuine local concern, it should cease.
The People Power Party pointed out that while there was bipartisan agreement on the special law for Gwangju-Jeonnam and Daegu-Gyeongbuk, the Daejeon-Chungnam proposal was pushed forward primarily by the ruling party, against the will of local leaders and constituents. As the integration discussions evolve, it brings to light the differing opinions between local residents and politicians, emphasizing the need for considering regional distinctiveness and public input before making significant administrative changes.
