In order to reform the local administrative system that has continued for 30 years, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety's advisory body recommended the integration of metropolitan cities and provinces. It noted that creating a 'super metropolitan area' by merging regions such as Busan and Gyeongnam, Daejeon and Chungnam would be effective in responding to issues such as population decline and regional extinction.
The Future-Oriented Administrative System Reform Committee (Future Committee) announced the 'recommendation for local administrative system reform' containing this content on the 22nd.
The Future Committee was launched in May of last year, composed of experts in urban planning, demographics, and administration, to respond to issues like population decline and regional extinction. This was in response to criticism that local autonomy, which was implemented with the introduction of direct elections for local government heads in 1995, has been maintained for 30 years without change and has not been able to address these social problems.
On this day, the Future Committee presented eight reform proposals regarding the administrative districts, hierarchy, and functions of the local administrative system.
First, the Future Committee recommended promoting the integration of metropolitan cities and provinces to shift from a unipolar system centered on the capital region, including Seoul, to a multipolar system. It stated that with the formation of a super metropolitan area, it is necessary to maintain a dual structure of metropolitan and basic levels, and that active government support, including the transfer of powers, must also be provided. Currently, Daegu-Gyeongbuk, Daejeon-Chungnam, and Busan-Gyeongnam are promoting integration between cities and provinces.
In addition, the Future Committee presented the integration of cities, counties, and districts. It pointed out that if population decline continues, integration between autonomous districts is necessary to maintain an appropriate size for local governments.
Moreover, the Future Committee mentioned that through the reallocation of areas between cities and counties adjacent to special cities and metropolitan cities, areas with significant administrative differences that cause inconvenience for residents can be modified, and areas with potential for development can be incorporated. This includes discussions about transitioning to autonomous districts to establish independent urban planning or incorporating them into special or metropolitan cities while maintaining their city or county status.
Recommendations were also made to revise the population criteria for special cities and large cities. It aims to prevent population outflow by lowering the population criteria for special cities and large cities limited to non-capital areas to expand the hub cities in those regions.
The Future Committee also proposed adjustments to the functions of local governments, highlighting the need for coordination according to each autonomous level. Without the enactment of special laws for the establishment of special autonomous provinces, a generalized system that allows for necessary powers and exceptions will be developed. The committee recommended that the government grant higher levels of authority to special cities and large cities to fulfill hub functions.
Additionally, the Future Committee suggested revitalizing special local governments, re-evaluating the levels of autonomy, and enhancing the efficiency of towns and villages.
Minister Ko Gi-dong, the acting head of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, noted that "the Future Committee's recommendations are measures to overcome the national crisis of population decline and regional extinction as we celebrate the 30th anniversary of elected local autonomy," and stated, "We will establish a support group to implement follow-up measures and prepare and promote implementation plans."