Seoul: President Lee Jae Myung suggested Thursday that the central city of Daejeon and South Chungcheong Province be merged ahead of next year's local elections, paving the way for the election of a new leader for the expanded administrative district. Lee made the suggestion during his meeting with the ruling Democratic Party (DP) lawmakers representing the region and asked them to help advance legislative efforts to integrate the central area, presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung said in a written briefing.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Lee stated that the integration of Daejeon and South Chungcheong Province could help address the overconcentration of the Seoul metropolitan area and promote balanced regional development. He emphasized the need for the central government to provide substantive and effective administrative support to facilitate the election of the governor of the integrated region in the upcoming local elections, scheduled for June 2026.

Lee acknowledged that integrating local governments is challenging and requires policy judgment that transcends complex political interests. In September, 45 lawmakers from the main opposition People Power Party proposed a bill to create an integrated province in the region. However, lawmakers from the DP have yet to join the initiative, leaving the bill pending in the National Assembly.

As part of his push for balanced regional growth, Lee has proposed customized development strategies for five regional hubs, including the Seoul metropolitan, southeast, northeast, central, and western regions, as well as three special self-governing provinces: Jeju, Gangwon, and North Jeolla.