Rep. Choo Mi-ae, chair of the National Assembly’s Legislation and Judiciary Committee, bangs the gavel during a plenary session on Feb. 24. /Lee Byung-hwa

The Democratic Party of Korea on Feb. 24 criticized the People Power Party after a special bill aimed at administrative integration between Daejeon and South Chungcheong Province failed to pass the National Assembly’s Legislation and Judiciary Committee.

During a press conference at the National Assembly, the party’s special committee on Daejeon–Chungnam integration said that although Daejeon City and South Chungcheong Province had initially led the push for integration, local governments and councils dominated by the PPP turned their backs at a critical stage of the legislative process.

Earlier in the day, the Legislation and Judiciary Committee approved a separate special act for the integration of South Jeolla Province and Gwangju, with 11 of 18 members voting in favor and seven abstaining. However, special acts concerning Daejeon–Chungnam and Daegu–North Gyeongsang were sent for further review following opposition from the PPP.

The Democratic Party argued that the Lee Jae-myung administration had proposed strong fiscal support and expanded authority as “integration incentives” to revive regional growth and prevent local extinction.

“The People Power Party abruptly began opposing administrative integration that it had previously promoted and even introduced as legislation,” the committee said. “They have turned away from a valuable opportunity.”

Rep. Cheon Jun-ho, senior deputy floor leader of the Democratic Party, also criticized the PPP leadership, saying it had shown little willingness to coordinate or resolve regional opposition.

He added that the PPP had again mentioned the possibility of filibustering regional integration bills earlier in the day.

“The People Power Party must take responsibility and resolve this situation,” Cheon said, urging the party leadership to clarify its stance and apologize to the public.

At the same time, he left room for compromise, saying the Democratic Party would be open to renewed discussions if the PPP demonstrated a clear commitment to advancing administrative integration.

ⓒ "젊은 파워, 모바일 넘버원 아시아투데이"