This article was displayed on the ChosunBiz CSR site at 4:34 p.m. on Feb. 11, 2026.
"Given that President Lee Jae-myung served as Seongnam mayor and Gyeonggi governor, I believe he knows the realities and concerns of local governments better than anyone. I will ask him to present clear guidelines to the government and the National Assembly regarding administrative integration."
Kim Tae-heum, governor of South Chungcheong Province, said this when asked in an interview with ChosunBiz on the 10th why he wants to meet the president.
Kim, who is pursuing administrative integration with Daejeon, tried to attend as a reference and speak at a legislative hearing on an administrative integration bill held at the National Assembly on the 9th but was refused. He then held a press conference and formally requested a meeting with the president.
This was a renewed demand for a meeting, following his earlier proposal in protest of the special integration bill introduced by the Democratic Party of Korea on the 2nd.
Kim criticized the special integration bill submitted by the Democratic Party of Korea, saying, "The essence of local decentralization—fiscal resources and the devolution of authority—has been largely reduced and distorted." He said, "The People Power Party's bill specifies a permanent transfer of 8.8 trillion won every year, but the Democratic Party's bill is limited to 3.7 trillion won," adding, "It falls short of even half of what we requested."
He also said, "The success or failure of administrative integration ultimately depends on the transfer of finances and authority." He noted, "In a structure where the central government holds the budget and permitting authority, ministries will not easily let go of power," and pointed out, "If integration proceeds as is, it could become a structure that is nothing more than a subcontracted agency of the center."
Kim also raised the issue of fairness between the South Chungcheong–Daejeon and South Jeolla–Gwangju integration bills. He said, "Even though both bills were proposed by the same Democratic Party of Korea, the provisions and the level of authority transfer for Daejeon–South Chungcheong and Gwangju–South Jeolla are quite different," adding, "Simply put, if Gwangju is 100, South Chungcheong is not even 50."
He also argued that the name "integrated special city" needs to be reviewed. Kim said, "The expression 'integrated special city' gives the impression of a transitional or temporary nature," adding, "It is appropriate to use the name 'special city' to match its status in the administrative system."
However, he was cautious about whether he would run for the head of the integrated government if administrative integration takes place in the future. He said, "It is not appropriate to mention a potential run when even the integration itself has not been decided yet." The following is a Q&A with Kim.
—You asked President Lee Jae-myung for a meeting. What do you want to discuss?
"The success or failure of administrative integration ultimately depends on the transfer of finances and authority. Under the current structure, where the center holds both the budget and permitting authority, ministries will not easily cede power. In this state, even if a special city is launched, it will inevitably remain a subcontracted agency of the center. Looking at the Democratic Party's bill, I questioned whether there is genuine commitment to local autonomy. As President Lee Jae-myung served as Seongnam mayor and Gyeonggi governor, he will know the realities of local governments better than anyone. We plan to ask him to review our requests on the transfer of finances and authority and to present clear guidelines to the government and the National Assembly."
—What do you see as the problem with the Democratic Party's integration bill?
"Our proposal specifies a permanent transfer of 8.8 trillion won every year. In contrast, the Democratic Party's proposal is limited to 3.7 trillion won. It falls short of even half of what we requested. There is also no mention of key revenue sources such as corporate taxes and value-added taxes. It also falls well short of the president's stated goal of a 65-to-35 ratio between national and local finances. The devolution of authority is also inadequate. Core issues such as exemptions from investment reviews, lifting greenbelts, exemptions from preliminary feasibility studies, and the transfer of special local administrative agencies are left to the central government's discretion. Also, most of our provisions say 'must,' whereas the Democratic Party's provisions often say 'may.'"
—What real-world results could differences in provisions produce?
"In the Democratic Party's proposal, many provisions are phrased as 'may.' These are nonbinding discretionary provisions. That is a big difference from the mandatory 'must' provisions we proposed. For example, regarding the transfer of special local administrative agencies, our proposal states 'shall be transferred,' requiring ministries to transfer functions. But the Democratic Party's proposal says 'may be transferred,' so if ministries refuse during consultations, the transfer may not happen. As for support for administrative integration expenses, our proposal specifies 'shall provide fiscal support,' but the Democratic Party's proposal says 'may support,' creating a possibility that support will not be provided depending on national fiscal conditions."
—You also raised the issue of imbalances among special laws by region.
"Even though both bills were introduced by the Democratic Party of Korea, the provisions and the level of authority transfer differ between Daejeon–South Chungcheong and Gwangju–South Jeolla. Simply put, if Gwangju is 100, South Chungcheong is not even 50. For Gwangju–South Jeolla, the transfer of special local administrative agencies is a mandatory provision, but for Daejeon–South Chungcheong, it is specified as a matter for consultation. The authority to designate and lift agricultural promotion areas applies to all areas for three years in Gwangju–South Jeolla, but is limited to agricultural innovation districts in Daejeon–South Chungcheong. Regarding national support for integration expenses, Gwangju–South Jeolla has mandatory provisions extending to transportation and SOC, while Daejeon–South Chungcheong has discretionary provisions. As discussions on integration spread nationwide, the same standards must apply. Beyond the Public Administration and Security Committee, a bipartisan special committee with equal representation should be formed to establish common standards for the transfer of finances and authority."
—You also argued that 'special city' should be used instead of 'integrated special city.'
"The name symbolizes the identity and direction of the integrated special city. South Chungcheong and Daejeon, after joint research, prepared the name 'Daejeon–South Chungcheong Special City, the economic and science capital.' It signifies creating a new growth axis by combining Daejeon's science and technology capabilities with South Chungcheong's industrial base. The expression 'integrated special city' can give a transitional or temporary impression. Once integration is complete, it becomes a single, complete local government, so 'special city' is more fitting for its status. Going forward, the name should be decided after fully gathering residents' opinions."
—You also pointed out that 'South Chungcheong' was omitted from the abbreviation.
"The Democratic Party's proposal puts 'integration' in the official name but uses 'Daejeon Special City' as the abbreviation, excluding South Chungcheong. Considering population size and historical identity, residents will find that hard to accept. We cannot accept a name that ignores residents' pride. We can fully consider a new name that reflects the status of integration and its future vision."
—Some say the push for integration is just a campaign slogan.
"I understand there are such concerns. But approaching administrative integration as a campaign slogan harms the essence. This is a major task to ease the capital area's unipolar structure and achieve balanced national development. We can neither halt discussions because local elections are approaching nor rush the process to fit the election. What matters is direction, not speed. Clear standards for the transfer of finances and authority must come first to gain public support."
—Do you plan to run for the head of the integrated government?
"The administrative integration itself has not been decided yet, and it is not the stage to discuss whether to run. For now, setting the principles and direction of integration straight is the priority."