Jeong Cheong-rae, spokesperson for the Democratic Party, has proposed an official meeting with Jang Dong-hyuk of the People Power Party to advance a special bill on administrative integration between Daejeon and Chungcheongnam-do.
Call for Bipartisan Dialogue
During the party’s top committee meeting on the 23rd, Jeong emphasized that the integration effort transcends electoral gains or losses. “This is not about opposing based on election results,” he stated. “I propose an official summit between our party leaders to drive real progress on administrative integration.”
Jeong described the merger as a critical task for reshaping South Korea’s future framework. “Ahead of new local governance systems, political leaders must provide clear direction,” he added. “Failure to do so will amplify on-the-ground confusion and erode public consensus.”
Shared Roots and Unity Appeal
Highlighting personal ties, Jeong noted that both he and Jang hail from Chungcheongnam-do. “To foster national and regional development, we should meet first, align our views, and engage in earnest discussions,” he urged.
Legislative Hurdles and Public Backlash
The National Assembly’s Legislation and Judiciary Committee plans a plenary session to prioritize special bills for Gwangju-Jeonnam and Daegu-Gyeongbuk integrations, where bipartisan consensus exists. In contrast, the Daejeon-Chungcheongnam-do proposal faces significant resistance.
Public opposition mounts, with citizens protesting in the streets. Even within political circles, concerns persist over its viability. Meanwhile, the Democratic Party’s Chungcheong special committee held a press conference at the National Assembly entrance, pressing for swift passage of the bill.
