The Democratic Party of Korea on the 16th welcomed the "Daejeon-South Chungcheong" and "Gwangju-South Jeolla" administrative integration support plans released as "bold support." The ruling party plans to introduce special legislation centered on its Special Committee on Chungcheong Development and the Committee for Promoting Gwangju-South Jeolla Integration.
Supreme Council member Hwang Myung-seon, who chairs the Democratic Party's Special Committee on Chungcheong Development, said in a statement that "the government has decided to push large-scale fiscal support of up to 5 trillion won a year, totaling 20 trillion won over four years, for the integrated special city," adding, "The bold incentives the government promised today will become seeds of hope that change residents' lives."
Prime Minister Kim Min-seok held a "briefing on incentives for administrative integration" at Government Complex Seoul on the morning of the same day and unveiled fiscal support measures for the integrated special city. The government also decided to push the "second public institution transfer" next year, giving priority consideration to the integrated special city area as a relocation destination.
Democratic Party lawmakers from Daejeon and South Chungcheong plan to introduce a special law on administrative integration consisting of a total of 253 articles. The special bill will also include provisions to ensure fiscal support does not stop even after 20 trillion won is invested in the integrated special city over four years.
Democratic Party lawmaker Park Jeong-hyeon said, "To properly take root, the integrated special city will likely need about 10 years of support," adding, "It is 20 trillion won over four years at 5 trillion each year, but we must ensure support does not stop after that."
Ruling party lawmakers from Gwangju and South Jeolla also voiced a collective welcome. They said, "We sincerely welcome the 'big support plan' for administrative integration released by the government today," adding, "Fiscal support of 5 trillion won a year is not merely an organizational reshuffle, but a historic decision to achieve balanced national development in which the region creates its own growth engine."
Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Won-i told reporters at the National Assembly the same day, "We will discuss the transfer of public institutions by reflecting that South Jeolla is concentrated in agriculture, produces the most seafood, and is the capital of energy," adding, "Once the special bill is introduced, I believe it will be discussed at the Public Administration and Security Committee."