Daejeon Mayor Lee Jang-woo on Monday rejected a regional integration bill proposed by the Democratic Party of Korea, saying it fails to guarantee benefits for city residents.
"I cannot support a Daejeon-South Chungcheong merger plan that does not ensure clear developmental benefits for Daejeon citizens," Lee said at an expanded executive meeting.
The mayor emphasized that any merger proposal must first secure tangible benefits for residents before moving forward. "With the Democratic Party's proposed integration law, there is neither justification nor logic to persuade citizens," he said.
Lee argued that the bill lacks provisions for local autonomy and fiscal authority necessary for municipal governments to protect residents' safety and enhance urban value.
"True decentralization means local governments can design and execute their own urban futures," Lee said. He called for legal reforms to address delays in regional projects caused by central government reviews, including preliminary feasibility studies required for projects exceeding 50 billion won.
The mayor noted he cannot ignore the majority of citizens demanding sufficient discussion and public input on the merger issue.