Lawmakers from the Democratic Party of Korea representing the South Chungcheong and Daejeon regions began a sit-in at the National Assembly. They said the move is to protest the shelving of the special act on administrative integration of South Chungcheong and Daejeon during the review by The National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee. They especially urged People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyeok, whose constituency is in South Chungcheong, to immediately state a position on the administrative integration.
The Democratic Party's "Special Committee on South Chungcheong–Daejeon Integration and Chungcheong Development (Chungcheong Special Committee)" held a press conference at the National Assembly Rotunda Hall on the afternoon of the 25th and said it would begin a sit-in, seated on the floor, through Mar. 3, when the February extra session ends.
Democratic Party lawmakers from South Chungcheong and Daejeon each held placards reading "Daegu–North Gyeongsang begs? Daejeon–South Chungcheong gets blocked?" and "We denounce the double standard on administrative integration," and began the press conference. They plan to stage the sit-in at the National Assembly Rotunda Hall daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Park Jeong-hyeon, a Democratic Party lawmaker and co-chair of the Chungcheong Special Committee, said, "Unlike other bills, the administrative integration bill is hard to pass when mayors and provincial councils strongly oppose it," adding, "As is well known in Daejeon and South Chungcheong as well, the mayors and provincial councils are opposed."
She went on, "The People Power Party, including leader Jang Dong-hyeok and the leadership, says it supports integration, but in practice it is voicing opposition," adding, "It is now the People Power Party's turn to answer. Do not hide; clearly say whether you oppose or support integration."
Hwang Myeong-seon, a supreme council member of the same party who chairs the standing committee, also said, "Administrative integration is essential to overcome the monolithic system centered on Seoul and to create balanced growth, a survival strategy, and sustainability for the Republic of Korea," adding, "The People Power Party started out in favor of integration but suddenly reversed course after four years, despite proposing many incentives such as 20 trillion won, transfer of public institutions, and attracting corporations."
She continued, "Representative Jang should not remain with the opposing arguments, but join in integrating Daejeon and South Chungcheong; I urge that we proceed together during the February extra session," adding, "I earnestly and strongly urge South Chungcheong Gov. Kim Tae-heum and Daejeon Mayor Lee Jang-woo to promptly join the integration talks."