Opposition to the proposed administrative integration law in the Daegu-Gyeongbuk region is growing, with the Daegu City Council demanding a comprehensive re-evaluation due to concerns over power delegation, financial stability, and representation imbalances.
In the lead-up to the parliamentary review of the administrative integration special law, significant opposition is surfacing across both the political sphere and civil society in the Daegu-Gyeongbuk region. Key political figures are raising concerns about the imbalance in the number of representatives in the proposed unified council, arguing that the current plan lacks the necessary balance and authority for effective governance. The Daegu City Council issued a statement firmly opposing what they characterize as hasty integration, emphasizing that they agree with the overall goal of unity but cannot support a plan that does not befit their city's needs.
The statement from the city council stressed that their prior consent to the integration was based on the expectation of substantial transfers of authority, along with essential special provisions and a stable financial foundation, which have not been adequately maintained in the revised proposals. Specifically, they pointed out that vital provisions had been removed or diluted in the current amendments to the special law, and the anticipated government financial incentives have not been properly reflected. This has created a sense of skepticism about the implications of the integration for the citizens of Daegu, as their representation and influence within the new structure could be significantly diminished without fair structural adjustments.
Furthermore, Im Mi-ae, a member of the Democratic Party and one of the main proponents of the integration law, emphasized the necessity of a council composition that reflects the powers and finances that would accompany the special city. She notes the serious issue of political monopolization within local councils that could hinder democratic representation in Daegu and Gyeongbuk. With civil society organizations joining in the protests against the haste of the integration, there is a mounting call for a thorough evaluation that ensures diversified representation and realistic governance structures, as they oppose the passage of the special law without necessary transitional arrangements to rectify the systemic inequities.
