Movement for 'Suwon Region Integration' Gains Momentum

As Seongnam, Gwangju, and Hanam cities have recently begun discussions on administrative jurisdiction integration, full-fledged efforts for the integration of Suwon, Hwaseong, and Osan are expected to unfold.

The Suwon City Council plans to adopt a resolution regarding administrative jurisdiction integration at the 3rd plenary session of the 265th extraordinary session on the 10th and submit it to the Ministry of the Interior and Safety.

According to the city council on the 6th, a draft resolution on administrative jurisdiction integration has been prepared, and it is expected to be presented at the 3rd plenary session following consultation with the city administration.

The resolution is known to include content strongly expressing hope for the integration of Suwon, Hwaseong, and Osan and requesting that such integration be pursued.

The city council's move to formally ignite integration discussions appears to stem from the Ministry of the Interior and Safety issuing an official notice to Suwon containing organizational management guidelines at the end of last month.

The official notice stipulated that if local governments wish to pursue administrative jurisdiction reorganization (integration), the relevant local government administration or basic municipal councils must report their opinions on reorganization or integration to the government through Gyeonggi Province.

Following the city council's adoption of the resolution for integration, it is expected that surveys, public hearings, and briefing sessions will be conducted to form consensus and public opinion on administrative jurisdiction integration.

Yom Sang-hun, chairman of the city council's General Affairs and Development Committee, said, "The adoption of the resolution will mark the beginning of full-fledged discussions on the integration of Suwon, Hwaseong, and Osan, including surveys," and added, "I understand that the presidents of each council have already exchanged opinions on integration."

An official from the city council secretariat said, "The Ministry of the Interior and Safety is expected to collect recommendations from local governments seeking administrative jurisdiction reorganization, including Suwon, and pursue integration discussions with local governments deemed to have valid grounds."

The official added, "Depending on the decision of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, integration discussions including citizen referendums, public hearings, and briefing sessions will begin."