South Korea's ruling People Power Party resolved internal disagreements over the Daegu-North Gyeongsang (TK) integration special bill on Wednesday, with lawmakers from both regions ultimately voting in favor of the merger.
The decision paves the way for renewed negotiations between ruling and opposition parties to pass the legislation.
Lawmakers from the TK region met with floor leadership at the National Assembly to cast their votes on the integration bill. All 12 Daegu lawmakers supported the measure, while a majority of North Gyeongsang lawmakers also voted in favor. PPP Floor Leader Song Eon-seok participated in the North Gyeongsang lawmakers' meeting and cast his vote.
Rep. Lee In-sun, chair of the PPP's Daegu chapter, said the group asked leadership to pass the TK integration bill alongside separate legislation merging Gwangju and South Jeolla Province.
"Since we already issued a joint declaration supporting administrative integration, we determined it was inappropriate to set up separate voting booths," Lee said. "Instead, we confirmed individual opinions."
Rep. Koo Ja-keun, chair of the PPP's North Gyeongsang chapter, acknowledged opposition within the party.
"There was strong opposition centered on the northern part of North Gyeongsang Province, but ultimately more members supported integration," Koo said. The party decided not to disclose the number of dissenting votes.
With TK lawmakers now aligned, the ruling party plans to negotiate with opposition parties to pass the bill during the February plenary session.
The party intends to pass the legislation first and make amendments later, rather than revising special provisions and reopening negotiations immediately. Critics have noted the TK bill lacks the specificity of the Gwangju-South Jeolla integration bill, which has already cleared the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee.
"The bill has become nearly identical to the Gwangju-South Jeolla integration law after passing the Public Administration and Security Committee," Lee said. "We agreed to pass the bill first since we cannot include everything from the start."
Ruling and opposition parties are expected to immediately resume discussions on the TK special bill pending at the Legislation and Judiciary Committee. Committee Chair Choo Mi-ae has reportedly signaled willingness to restart deliberations once the ruling party consolidated its position.
National Assembly Vice Speaker Joo Ho-young said Tuesday on YouTube channel "Manna GO" that Choo agreed to process the bill within the current session if opposition among TK lawmakers diminished and support became "overwhelming."