The Daejeon-Chungnam Administrative Integration Public-Private Consultative Body held a "Local Government Consensus Discussion" on July 8th at the Daedeok-gu Office Cheongnyeom Hall with about 200 residents. During the discussion, they explained the direction of administrative integration and exchanged various opinions with residents on its necessity and expected effects.

The consensus discussion was hosted by the Public-Private Consultative Body and co-organized by Daejeon City and the Daedeok-gu Office. Key figures, including Daedeok-gu Mayor Choi Choong-gyu, Daejeon City Council Daejeon-Chungnam Administrative Integration Special Committee Chairman Lee Jae-kyung (hereafter Chairman Lee Jae-kyung), Daejeon City Council members Lee Hyo-seong and Song Hwal-seop, and Daedeok-gu Council Chairman Jeon Seok-gwang, were also present.

Daedeok-gu Mayor Choi Choong-gyu, who participated in the event, stated, "Although the administrative integration bill does not directly change the structure of local basic autonomous bodies, various changes may accompany it. Therefore, Daedeok-gu will continue to communicate to ensure that residents' inconveniences are addressed and their interests are reflected."

Choi Jin-hyuk, Chairman of the Public-Private Consultative Body's Planning Subcommittee (Chairman of the Daejeon City Local Era Committee), explained the direction of administrative integration. He stated, "Thirty years have passed since local autonomy began, and considering changes in administrative demand, change is now necessary. The Daejeon-Chungnam administrative integration is not just about these two cities doing well." He added, "It should become a leading example for solving the problem of Korea's capital-centric system and serve as a cornerstone for a true era of balanced development."

The consensus discussion was chaired by Choi Jin-hyuk, Chairman of the Planning Subcommittee. Panelists included Lee Jae-kyung, Chairman of the Daejeon City Council Administrative Integration Special Committee, Daejeon City Council member Song Hwal-seop, Honorary Daedeok-gu Mayor Jung Sang-mok, and Public-Private Consultative Body Communication Subcommittee members Park Chung-hwa and Kwon Oh-cheol. They discussed the legal basis of administrative integration, guaranteeing the authority of local autonomous districts, and improving residents' lives, actively gathering residents' opinions.

In particular, the various questions and suggestions raised on-site were filled with vivid opinions that could be linked to practical tasks in the administrative integration discussion. Residents freely expressed their curiosity about changes in daily life, whether the names and functions of local autonomous districts would change, and the expected policy effects.

Jung Sang-mok, Honorary Daedeok-gu Mayor, who participated in the consensus discussion as a representative of Daedeok-gu residents, said, "I had many questions about the Daejeon-Chungnam administrative integration, and many of them were resolved through this consensus discussion." He added, "This discussion seems to be very helpful in expanding residents' consensus on administrative integration."

Chairman Lee Jae-kyung stated, "It is most important to hear about the changes in daily life that administrative integration will bring, as well as the hopes and concerns of each resident." He added, "The Administrative Integration Special Committee will faithfully fulfill its role of oversight and coordination to ensure that citizens' opinions are practically reflected in the integration process."

A Daejeon City official explained, "Through consensus discussions in the five districts, residents' perceptions were shared." He continued, "We are also discussing the Daejeon-Chungnam administrative integration by tirelessly visiting 15 cities and counties in Chungnam Province. The consensus discussion is not just a simple briefing session; it is the starting point for an integration created together with citizens."

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