Hwaseong City to Hear Citizens' Views on Merger Plan

Amid escalating civic discord and collective complaints stemming from vague support and opposition regarding the merger of Hwaseong, Osan, and Suwon, Hwaseong City announced on the 16th that it will hold a forum related to the merger to resolve the conflict.

In connection with the merger of Hwaseong, Osan, and Suwon, Hwaseong City will hold a forum hosted by Hyupsung University on the 21st to help citizens gain a proper understanding of the local administrative system restructuring.

A city official stated, "Although various discussions have been actively conducted recently regarding local administrative boundary reorganization, citizen conflict has actually intensified due to vague claims from both supporters and opponents. We have arranged this forum to provide objective information on administrative boundary reorganization, promote proper understanding, resolve conflicts among residents, and gather accurate citizen opinion."

The forum will be held for approximately two hours starting at 3 p.m. on the 21st at Hwaseong Art Hall of the U&I; Center, hosted by Hyupsung University and sponsored by Hwaseong City.

The moderator will be Professor Yoon Won-geun of Hyupsung University, and researcher Jo Seok-ju from the Institute for Local Administration will serve as the keynote speaker.

As intense discussion on the Hwaseong, Osan, and Suwon merger is anticipated, panelists in favor will include Kim Chung-gwan, executive director of the Suwon Development Research Center, Lee Jae-hoon, Suwon city chairman of the Merger Promotion Committee, and Yoo Hyo-geun, Hwaseong city chairman. Panelists opposed will include Professor So Soon-chang of Konkuk University and Professor Ko Soon-chul of Hyupsung University, with Kim Jin-ho, chairman of the Dongtan 1-dong Residents' Association, participating as a citizen representative.