Daejeon’s Mayor vs. Chungnam’s Governor: The Battle for Local Autonomy in Administrative Integration

The mayors of four local governments in the Chungcheong region have been making frequent trips to Seoul recently.

Amid discussions of metropolitan administrative integration, Daejeon’s mayor and Chungnam’s governor are pushing for a substantial transfer of local financial authority. Meanwhile, Sejong’s mayor and Chungbuk’s governor are voicing concerns about potential reverse discrimination resulting from the integration.

On February 9, Daejeon Mayor Lee Jang-woo and Chungnam Governor Kim Tae-heum traveled to Seoul to attend a legislative public hearing on administrative integration held by the National Assembly’s Administrative Safety Committee.

The committee, however, did not approve the selection of mayors from the ruling People Power Party as witnesses. This led to a heated exchange between the parties. Eventually, through negotiations, some local leaders, including Mayor Lee, were granted speaking opportunities.

Mayor Lee criticized the Democratic Party’s proposed special law, urging the central government to transfer significant authority to enable regional self-governance.

After being denied the chance to speak at the hearing, Governor Kim held a press conference at the National Assembly. He stated, “Administrative integration without proper financial and authority transfers is merely an empty shell.” Kim emphasized the need for a permanent financial transfer of about 9 trillion KRW (approximately 6.75 billion USD) annually. This would match a 100% transfer tax, 50% corporate tax, and 5% value-added tax. He also called for exemptions from feasibility studies, the release of agricultural promotion zones, and the designation of national industrial complexes. Kim criticized the Democratic Party for blocking Chungnam residents’ voices from being heard.

On February 2, Mayor Lee and Governor Kim also visited Seoul to attend a meeting of metropolitan mayors promoting administrative integration and to meet with the People Power Party’s floor leader. On February 5, Governor Kim met with the party’s leader at the National Assembly, insisting that integration discussions should occur through a special committee rather than the Administrative Safety Committee.

In contrast, Sejong Mayor Choi Min-ho and Chungbuk Governor Kim Young-hwan are lobbying the National Assembly to address concerns about reverse discrimination. They’re urging the establishment of the Administrative Capital Special Law and the Chungbuk Special Self-Governing Province Law.

On February 8, Mayor Choi attended a meeting of the Administrative Council of Special Self-Governing Cities and Provinces in Seoul. He argued that the current integration approach undermines national administrative principles and marginalizes existing special self-governing regions. Choi pointed out the contradiction in promising extraordinary financial support to integrated local governments while ignoring Sejong’s role in completing the administrative capital. He urged the government to honor its commitments and called for swift passage of relevant laws.

Governor Kim Young-hwan held a press conference at the National Assembly on February 9. He expressed serious concerns about the rapid advancement of Daejeon-Chungnam integration discussions without regional consensus. Kim criticized the government’s plan to provide up to 5 trillion KRW (about 3.75 billion USD) in financial support and relocation incentives solely to the integrated entity, calling it clear discrimination against Chungbuk. He emphasized Chungbuk’s unique challenges, including its lack of adjacent metropolitan areas and exclusion from special self-governing benefits, unlike other provinces.

These divergent regional positions are raising concerns that the complexities of metropolitan integration could impede mutual growth and development across the Chungcheong area.

Some political observers warn that President Lee Jae-myung’s emphasis on decentralization, balanced development, and strengthened autonomy could inadvertently spark regional discrimination and equity controversies.

Local advocates argue that discussions on Daejeon-Chungnam integration should occur alongside Chungbuk’s designation as a special self-governing province. This strategy aims to achieve balanced development by expanding the “5 Extremes and 3 Specials” model to “5 Extremes and 4 Specials,” including Chungbuk.

There are also calls to prioritize the completion of Sejong’s administrative capital alongside these integration efforts. This approach would give substance to long-standing promises and electoral pledges, ensuring both momentum and concrete progress in national balanced development initiatives.