The government will support the launch of an "integrated special city" with a high degree of autonomy and move to expand the powers of local governments. In particular, as part of a balanced growth strategy, it plans to prepare within the year a "differential support index" that reflects distance from Seoul and the level of local social and economic development.
The Ministry of the Interior and Safety (MOIS) announced a sweeping local autonomy transition plan containing these elements during the president's policy briefing held on the 17th at the Sejong Convention Center.
To overcome the single-core system centered on the capital region, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety (MOIS) plans to support the launch of an integrated special city with a high degree of autonomy. The integrated local government will be granted organizational special cases on par with Seoul Metropolitan City, including use of the name "special city" and the creation of a political deputy chief executive position.
It will also comprehensively transfer related functions such as local flagship industries and services residents can feel, to strengthen the self-sufficiency of local governments.
A multi-core system centered on "five poles and three specials" will also be established for balanced growth. The three special self-governing provinces—Gangwon, North Jeolla and Jeju—will receive tailored special cases, including the transfer of Pyeongchang Olympic facilities and support for smart agriculture.
On local fiscal autonomy, it will push measures to transfer national taxes, such as expanding the local government consumption tax, with a goal of a 7:3 ratio between national and local government tax. A Ministry of the Interior and Safety (MOIS) official said, "If we raise the local government consumption tax rate, currently 25.3% of value-added taxes, to 45%, we can secure about 22 trillion won and achieve the 7:3 ratio between national and local government tax," adding, "Through the pan-government fiscal decentralization task force, we will work with related ministries to draw up detailed implementation plans."
The performance-centered support system for balanced growth will also be overhauled. A differential support index reflecting distance from Seoul and the local economic level will be introduced and applied across all areas, including fiscal and tax policy.
Local government tax reductions that had been applied uniformly nationwide to industrial and tourism complexes will be differentially provided, with preferential treatment centered on non-capital regions and population-declining areas. In addition, areas where the population has increased thanks to local government efforts will be designated as the tentative "Population Vitality Plus (+) areas" and given additional incentives.
The safety net for the safety-vulnerable will be strengthened. CCTV coverage will be expanded in safety-vulnerable areas around elementary schools, and 607 school routes will be established.
In addition, to prevent accidents similar to the high-rise apartment fire that occurred in Hong Kong on the 14th, fire safety management for high-rise buildings will be strengthened.
Minister Yoon Ho-jung of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety (MOIS) said, "We will embed the values of participation, solidarity and innovation throughout policy to protect people's lives and safety and realize an Ai democratic government," adding, "With genuine autonomy and balanced growth, we will make every effort to restore vitality to the regions and revive weakened communities."