On the 4th, South Chungcheong Province Gov. Kim Tae-heum said, "I think the Democratic Party initially intended to pass only the Gwangju–South Jeolla (administrative integration special law)."
That morning, Kim held a press conference at the provincial office and said, "With the end of the February extraordinary session of the National Assembly yesterday, administrative integration between South Chungcheong and Daejeon has effectively become difficult."
Kim said, "In particular, the Daegu–North Gyeongsang integration, which had complied with the Democratic Party's humiliating demands, was also excluded," and added, "We pressured that if only Daejeon and South Chungcheong were left out while Daegu and North Gyeongsang moved ahead, we would miss a good opportunity, but if we push the (administrative integration) of the three places simultaneously, there is no clear plan to secure funding, and it will be difficult for the government to handle."
He went on, "The Democratic Party is shifting blame, saying integration fell through because I and the People Power Party opposed it," adding, "This is a legislative dictatorship where the ruling party handles every law on its own."
Kim also said of the Democratic Party's call to adopt a party line in favor of integration, "It is a strategy to split the People Power Party and foment infighting."
However, he said discussions on administrative integration should continue. Kim said, "In the process of integrating Gwangju and South Jeolla, many disruptions, including conflict and division, will be triggered," and added, "Even now, the National Assembly should form a special committee with equal numbers from the ruling and opposition parties and a pan-government body to draft an integration bill that includes common standards so that all regions receive the same support and benefits."
He continued, "I once again urge President Lee Jae-myung to present a lasting integration plan that will realize true local autonomy, resolve the Seoul metropolitan area's single-pole dominance, and achieve balanced national development."