Daejeon Citizens Rally for Administrative Merger with South Chungcheong

Daejeon Metropolitan City held a briefing and citizens' rally urging the administrative merger of Daejeon and South Chungcheong Province at the city hall auditorium on Wednesday, jointly organized with the Daejeon Metropolitan Council and the public-private consultative body for the merger, the city said.

The event called for the National Assembly to swiftly deliberate and pass the special bill for the Daejeon-South Chungcheong administrative integration. About 600 citizens attended to share updates on the initiative and consolidate their commitment to the merger.

The rally comes as the merger discussion gained new momentum after the president recently made official remarks on the necessity of administrative integration.

Lee Chang-ki, co-chairman of the public-private consultative body, introduced the progress since the special bill was proposed on October 2 and explained the expected benefits of the merger.

"Upon integration, we expect to form a mega innovation cluster with a population of 3.6 million, along with practical changes including expanded metropolitan transportation and living zones," Lee said. "Administrative integration is a strategy for the Chungcheong region to secure competitiveness against the Seoul metropolitan-centered structure."

Following the briefing, participants staged a performance urging the merger. Daejeon Mayor Lee Jang-woo, Daejeon Council Chairman Cho Won-hwi, co-chairman Lee Chang-ki, and Nam Jae-dong, head of the Daejeon Citizens' Council, led chants from the audience while citizens held up card sections. A banner symbolizing the resolution for integration was lowered on stage.

"The Daejeon-South Chungcheong administrative merger is a path we must take for the future of the Chungcheong region," Mayor Lee said. "As the president has clearly acknowledged the necessity and justification for administrative integration, now is the time for the National Assembly to make a decision. I strongly urge the National Assembly and central government to act responsibly so that the special bill can be reviewed and passed promptly."

"Passing the special bill is the starting point for integration that reflects residents' opinions and secures special provisions," Chairman Cho said. "The council will also make every effort to expand consensus and promote the initiative so that citizens' expectations are reflected in the National Assembly review process."

The "Special Act for the Establishment of Daejeon-South Chungcheong Special City and the Creation of an Economic and Science Capital," proposed on October 2, is currently awaiting review by the relevant National Assembly committee.

While passage within the year had been uncertain, the bill is expected to regain momentum after the president expressed direct interest during a town hall meeting in Cheonan, South Chungcheong Province on December 5, mentioning the necessity of administrative integration and listening to opinions from attendees.