Talk of an administrative merger of Daegu and North Gyeongsang is reigniting. As the government unveiled a plan to provide 20 trillion won (5 trillion won annually) to provinces and cities pursuing administrative integration, voices are emerging that Daegu and North Gyeongsang should also start related discussions.
According to local governments and the regional political establishment on the 19th, Daegu and North Gyeongsang pushed for administrative integration in 2020 and 2024. But the discussion stalled before it could take shape. The sides failed to narrow differences over the location of a combined government complex, the distribution of administrative powers, and a phased approach.
Against this backdrop, calls are growing among local governments and the regional political establishment to resume talks on integrating Daegu and North Gyeongsang. The push follows the government's announcement of a plan to provide financial support totaling 20 trillion won—5 trillion won annually for four years—to Gwangju–South Jeolla and Daejeon–South Chungcheong, which are pursuing administrative mergers. The government also plans to offer incentives such as public institution transfer and devolution of powers to cities and provinces that integrate.
Lee Cheol-woo, governor of North Gyeongsang, said on his Facebook page on the 17th that "most of the 5 trillion won per year will be provided as a lump-sum grant," adding, "If we secure a few more of the special exemptions we have demanded, it could be a real inflection point to change the game for Daegu and North Gyeongsang." He added, "I will discuss this with acting Daegu Mayor Kim Jeong-gi, North Gyeongsang provincial assembly members, and local National Assembly members."
Joo Ho-young of the People Power Party (Daegu Suseong-gap) also wrote on Facebook the same day, "Wasn't Daegu and North Gyeongsang the first to raise the flag and start administrative integration?" adding, "We drew up the entire blueprint and even nailed down the draft, but now it looks like others will be served at the table first." He continued, "If we fail to integrate before this election, prime state-run companies and national projects will all go to Honam and Chungcheong." Joo is being mentioned as one of the candidates for Daegu mayor in the June local elections.
Still, some among the Daegu mayoral hopefuls say the administrative merger should be approached with caution. Lawmakers Choo Kyung-ho (Daegu Dalseong) and Choi Eun-seok (Daegu Dong-gu–Gunwi-gap) said, "We need to scrutinize the support measures."