Suwon Mayor Yom Tae-young: "Cities with Population over 500,000 Need Municipal-Level Autonomy Recognition"

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Seo Dong-young] A proposal has been raised that major cities with populations exceeding 500,000 should be granted municipal-level authority to achieve self-sustainability.

The 7th Civilian-Elected National Major Cities Mayors' Council held its 6th regular meeting on the morning of the 27th at Pangyo Startup Campus in Seongnam City, with 11 major city mayors including Suwon Mayor Yom Tae-young and other representatives in attendance. The meeting discussed an interim report on a "research project on special provisions for major cities with populations over 500,000" and reviewed 9 agenda items for major city recommendations.

In particular, Suwon Mayor Yom Tae-young received applause at the meeting for stating that autonomy should be recognized to enable major cities with populations of 500,000 or more to develop independently.

Mayor Yom stated: "Most major cities with 500,000 residents already possess the foundation for independent development, so it would be far more advantageous to recognize municipal-level autonomy for them."

He continued: "Major cities not classified as municipalities face many difficulties in achieving independent development," and "I hope this research project will recognize that major cities with populations over 500,000 have the capacity to fulfill administrative responsibilities at the municipal level and will explore the authority and methods to enable this."

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

He stated: "The Ministry of Interior and Safety only classifies major cities as those with populations of 500,000 or more but does not grant authority, while the Ministry of Health and Welfare distinguishes welfare benefit standards by major city classification," and explained that "as a result, per-capita welfare expenditure is 1.4 million won in municipalities but only 700,000 won in major cities like Suwon, creating a more than two-fold difference."

Accordingly, Mayor Yom emphasized that unified government standards should be applied to major cities with populations over 500,000 and that administrative authority for independent development of major cities should be granted.

Meanwhile, the 7th Civilian-Elected National Major Cities Mayors' Council 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.