Public Administration and Security Minister Lee Dal-gon speaks of the survey results regarding how best to consolidate the country’s administrative uits at a news conference at the ministry building, Tuesday.
/ Korea Times |
By Do Je-hae
Staff Reporter
The merging of 16 cities and counties into 6 districts is likely to materialize after a state survey found many residents in the areas were in favor of the move, the authorities said Tuesday.
According to a survey conducted by the Ministry of Public Administration and Security, the 16 cities and counties chosen for administrative mergers are Cheongju-Cheongwon County (North Chungcheong Province); Suwon-Hwaseong-Osan; Hanam-Seongnam-Gwangju (Gyeonggi Province); Uiwang-Anyang-Gunpo (Gyeonggi Province); Changwon-Masan-Jinhae (South Gyeongsang Province); and Jinju-Sancheong County (South Gyeongsang Province).
If endorsed by the provincial councils, the mergers will take effect as early as July 2010, following the local elections slated for a month earlier. The government is currently working on a bill governing the establishment of administrative mergers for submission to the National Assembly.
``We will fully support these early cases of administrative mergers,'' Public Administration and Security Minister Lee Dal-gon said during a press conference, Tuesday, at the Central Government Complex in downtown Seoul. ``A prime ministerial committee will be launched to design a roadmap for the development of the consolidated regions.''
The government plans to hold a public referendum in areas where city councils fail to reach a mutual plan to pull down city boundaries.
The survey reflects the opinions of 500 to 1,000 residents in each city about the prospective administrative re-zoning, aimed at increasing financial sufficiency, saving administrative costs and providing more convenience for citizens.
Over 50 percent of respondents in all 16 areas answered in favor of merging their cities or counties with neighboring communities.
The mergers are part of the Lee Myung-bak administration's strategy to re-zone the nation's 249 municipalities to between 60 and 70 mega cities or districts with bigger economies and population. The government recently announced a package of financial and administrative incentives for cities and counties seeking to merge with their neighbors, aiming for economic synergy and administrative efficiency.
When merged, they will be given priority in state funding and assistance for urban development through expanding social overhaul capital (SOC), schools and cultural facilities. The ministry projected that the mergers will save more than 1 trillion won by cutting down on excess administrative procedures.
One of the most visible benefits for the consolidated cities will be greater administrative power and autonomy, as well as increased financial support from the central government, especially for those whose population exceeds 1 million following consolidation, officials said.
The mergers follow President Lee Myung-bak's call in August to reform the country's outdated election and administrative zoning systems.
The National Assembly has been seeking legislation to provide special financial grants to cities and counties seeking integration with their neighbors.
jhdo@koreatimes.co.kr
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