Suwon Mayor Yeo Tae-young: "Cities with 500,000+ Population Should Be Granted Autonomous Rights at Metropolitan City Level"

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Seo Dong-young] A proposal has been raised that cities with populations of 500,000 or more should be granted autonomous rights at the metropolitan city level so they can become self-sufficient.

The 7th Popular Election National Major Cities Mayors Association held its 6th regular conference on the morning of the 27th at Pangyo Startup Campus in Seongnam, with representatives including Suwon Mayor Yeo Tae-young and 10 other major city mayors in attendance. At the conference, an interim report on "research projects regarding special provisions for major cities with 500,000+ population" was presented, and nine agenda items regarding major cities were discussed.

At this meeting in particular, Suwon Mayor Yeo Tae-young received applause for stating that autonomous rights should be recognized for major cities with populations of 500,000 or more so they can develop independently.

Mayor Yeo stated, "Most major cities with 500,000+ population already have the foundation to develop independently, so it would be much more beneficial to recognize autonomous rights at the metropolitan city level."

He continued, "Major cities that are not classified as metropolitan cities face many difficulties in independent development. I hope this research project will be conducted so that we can recognize that major cities with 500,000+ population have the capacity to carry out administrative responsibilities at the metropolitan city level and find the rights and methods to enable this."

Mayor Yeo Tae-young also raised concerns about the disadvantages experienced by major city residents due to differing standards and application criteria for major cities across government agencies.

He stated, "The Ministry of Interior and Safety only classifies major cities as those with 500,000+ population without granting authority, but the Ministry of Health and Welfare distinguishes welfare benefit standards by major city. Ultimately, the welfare expenditure per resident differs more than twofold, at 1.4 million won for metropolitan cities compared to 700,000 won for major cities like Suwon," he explained.

Accordingly, Mayor Yeo emphasized that unified government standards should be applied to major cities with 500,000+ population and administrative authority should be granted for the independent development of these major cities.

Meanwhile, the 7th Popular Election National Major Cities Mayors Association comprises 15 major cities with populations of 500,000 or more, including Suwon, Anyang, Goyang, Changwon, Yongin, Seongnam, Bucheon, Cheongju, Hwaseong, Namyangju, Ansan, Jeonju, Cheonan, Gimhae, and Pohang, with Anyang Mayor Choi Dae-ho serving as chairman.