Kim Kyeong-soo, the chair of the Presidential Committee for Decentralization and Balanced Development, attends the inauguration ceremony held at the committee in Eojin-dong, Sejong City on the 10th and delivers an inaugural speech./Courtesy of News1

On the 10th, Kim Kyeong-soo, Chairperson of the Presidential Committee for Decentralization and Balanced Development, said, 'There has not been a proper local autonomy system implemented so far,' and 'We must grant local governments more autonomy.'

After the inauguration ceremony held at the Presidential Committee for Decentralization and Balanced Development building in Sejong City, Chairperson Kim met with reporters and emphasized, 'While expanding the autonomy of local governments to judge and solve local issues on their own, we must also raise accountability.'

He pointed out the limitations of the current balanced development policies, citing examples such as 'excessive special zones' and 'the low fiscal independence of local governments.' Chairperson Kim stated, 'There are more than 2,000 special zones in our country,' adding, 'The reality is that rather than local governments pushing policies with autonomy, they are trying to win more central government projects, which must be improved.'

He also stated, 'We must resolve the fundamental roots (issues of the current local autonomy system) to tackle even small problems one by one,' stating, 'I will first analyze the problems of existing balanced development policies and start finding solutions.'

Chairperson Kim also expressed concern about potential conflicts between local governments arising from the transfer of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries to Busan and the implementation of Lee Jae-myung’s 'Five Extremes and Three Special Zones' policy.

He stated, 'The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries will definitely be transferred to Busan, and I fully understand the worries and concerns of Sejong citizens,' adding, 'I will ensure that the task of 'moving and completing the administrative capital' is realized through the construction of the Sejong National Assembly and the presidential office, so that Sejong citizens do not have to worry.'

He emphasized, 'The transfer of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries is essential for matters directly related to Korea's future, such as the marine capital and Arctic route development,' asking, 'I ask for the understanding of Sejong citizens.'

Regarding concerns that competition for leadership may arise among various cities and provinces due to the Five Extremes and Three Special Zones system and the promotion of mega-cities, he said, 'I will lead cooperation among the central government, local governments, and provinces.'

Chairperson Kim emphasized, 'I believe that the Five Extremes and Three Special Zones policy can succeed if the Presidential Committee for Decentralization and Balanced Development works closely with the Presidential Committee on Policy Planning and the central and local governments, and it is a strategy that must succeed.'

Meanwhile, in response to criticisms of the limited role of the Presidential Committee for Decentralization and Balanced Development as a presidential advisory body, he stated, 'If necessary, I will consult to ensure it becomes an organization with financial and administrative power.'

Chairperson Kim remarked, 'While I cannot speak carelessly at this moment, if there are shortcomings in the committee fulfilling its role, I will devise measures on how to supplement them and discuss with the government to create an organization that can work,' adding, 'That’s how the Lee Jae-myung administration operates.'

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