National City-County Integration Target Regions Selected

The Presidential Local Administration System Reform Promotion Committee selected integration target regions on the 13th to enhance residential convenience and secure administrative efficiency.

Among regions that proposed integration, 20 regions and 50 cities and counties went through review procedures, resulting in the selection of 6 regions and 14 cities and counties.

The targets are ▲Uijeongbu+Yangju+Dongducheon ▲Jeonju+Wanju ▲Gumi+Chilgok ▲Anyang+Gunpo ▲Tongyeong+Goseong ▲Donghae+Samcheok+Taebaek.

Cheongju and Cheongwon did not propose integration from their regions, but special provisions under the Special Act on Local Administration System Reform were recognized and they were included in the basic plan.

The integration target regions will reflect the autonomous will of residents through opinion hearings at relevant municipal assemblies and referendums, and will go through sufficient discussion and legislative procedures in the National Assembly.

Meanwhile, Suwon City issued a statement of protest on the 13th regarding the Local Administration System Reform Promotion Committee's decision not to integrate Suwon, Hwaseong, and Osan, three cities, claiming that "the fairness and objectivity of the opinion survey conducted by the promotion committee were not secured, and there are significant differences from survey results conducted thus far, including the 2009 Ministry of Interior and Safety survey."