Daejeon Mayor Lee Jang-woo on the 6th said, "Administrative integration is a grave choice that looks ahead 100 years into the future," adding, "We cannot accept the Daejeon–South Chungcheong integration bill that the government is handing out as if it were a favor."
At the "Daejeon–South Chungcheong administrative integration special bill town hall meeting" held at Daejeon City Hall this morning, the mayor said, "Since each and every element of the special bill is directly linked to the post-integration landscape, we will closely review citizens' opinions and actively respond so they can be faithfully reflected in the National Assembly deliberation process."
He went on, "We must transfer permanent urban development authority and guarantee a high degree of autonomy, and a simple physical merger will not do."
The event was organized to enhance public understanding of the special bill on administrative integration recently submitted to the National Assembly and to broadly gather diverse opinions. About 500 residents, city council members, public–private consultative body Commissioners, and experts attended.
The mayor noted, "The bill crafted last year by the Daejeon mayor and the South Chungcheong governor together with the Daejeon–South Chungcheong administrative integration public–private council was designed so that an annual budget of 8.9 trillion won could be raised," adding, "The government proposed up to 20 trillion won over four years."
He added, "Even looking at the Gwangju–South Jeolla special law submitted by the same party, the government's support is defined as 'must' there, whereas for Daejeon–South Chungcheong it is defined as 'may,' which is quite shocking."
The mayor also said, "Integration is a centennial national agenda, yet the government and the Democratic Party say they will put it on a subcommittee within days, complete the standing committee vote, and pass it within days," calling it "a grave threat to democracy."
He continued, "Does it make sense to say, remodel first and use it, then fix any inconvenience as you live in it?" adding, "If the bill passes as is, we will face extreme confusion and conflict."