Suwon, Hwaseong, Osan Open Path to 'Integration'

Discussions on administrative district integration of Suwon, Hwaseong, and Osan have formally begun.

The Suwon City Council held the 265th temporary session's third plenary meeting on the morning of the 10th and adopted a 'Proposal on Administrative District Integration of Hwaseong City, Osan City, and Suwon City,' which was introduced by eight members of the General Administration and Development Committee, including Chairman Yeum Sang-hoon.

Chairman Yeum stated, "Administrative districts established over 100 years ago have become obstacles that not only intensify regional self-interest but also block efficient and future-oriented urban development," and added, "On behalf of 1.1 million Suwon citizens, I propose the integration of the administrative districts of three cities: Hwaseong, Osan, and Suwon."

In particular, Chairman Yeum forecast, "If the administrative districts of Hwaseong, Osan, and Suwon are integrated, we will be able to actively respond to rapid administrative changes, enhance fiscal self-reliance and economic synergy effects, and develop into a more competitive city."

With the adoption of the proposal, the Suwon City Council plans to discuss future schedules with the city administration regarding integration and engage in public opinion gathering through opinion surveys, public hearings, and briefing sessions.

Additionally, the council leadership plans to directly visit Hwaseong and Osan cities to exchange views on integration.

In a press conference held immediately after the proposal's adoption, Chairman Yeum stated, "The Ministry of the Interior and Safety issued guidelines on local government integration on the 28th of last month, and the city council proposed this at that level." <See Suwon Ilbo, September 9>

Regarding the public opinion gathering process involving relevant local governments including Suwon, he said, "We judged it was a priority to inform the Ministry of the Interior and Safety that there are local governments wishing integration," and added, "We will subsequently engage in public opinion gathering through various discussions and surveys."

However, Hwaseong City has expressed reluctance to integration, and the integration of Hwaseong and Osan excluding Suwon is being discussed, making it a major variable in future discussions. Additionally, experts point out that coordination of opinions is essential regarding issues such as city hall location and the name of the integrated city.

In response, Chairman Yeum emphasized, "The synergy effects of various infrastructure when the three cities integrate can be said to be significant," and "This will create an opportunity for further development into an advanced first-class city, as well as an opportunity to enhance regional competitiveness and completeness and to recover the sense of regional community."