Kim Kyeong-soo, Chairperson of the Presidential Committee for Decentralization and Balanced Development, said on the 10th, "I will ensure that the construction of the Sejong National Assembly Building and the presidential office proceeds swiftly and without disruption."
On this day, Kim noted during the Chairperson's inauguration ceremony held at the conference hall of the Presidential Committee for Decentralization and Balanced Development, "The Lee Jae-myung government will be a government that keeps the promises made to the people."
He stated, "The transfer of the administrative capital is a challenging task that must be advanced simultaneously with establishing a new vision and strategy for the metropolitan area," adding, "It is a project that symbolizes national balanced growth that must succeed regardless of the difficulties encountered." He also revealed plans to revise laws and systems to facilitate this.
Kim cited creating a blueprint for the '5 polar 3 special balanced growth strategy' of the Lee Jae-myung government as the first task the committee should undertake. The 5 polar 3 special strategy is based on the five mega-regions and three special autonomous cities, aiming to create economic and living zones, including industries, jobs, education, healthcare, and housing.
He expressed his ambition, stating, "It is now time to design a new growth strategy for Korea, moving beyond the concentration in the metropolitan area, and I will lead a major shift in national balanced growth centered on the '5 polar 3 special' strategy of the Lee Jae-myung government."
On this day, Kim referenced the achievements of the national balanced development 5-year plan and comprehensive self-governance plans from the past 20 years, including the construction of Sejong City and 10 innovative cities, while noting that the concentration in the metropolitan area continues to intensify.
He expressed concern, stating, "Even now, nearly 50,000 people move annually from non-metropolitan areas to the metropolitan area, and the concentration of young people in the metropolitan area is pronounced," adding, "Non-metropolitan areas are worried about extinction."
He pointed out, "The loss cost due to traffic congestion in the metropolitan area amounts to 39 trillion won annually, and businesses operating in the metropolitan area are paying four times the operating costs compared to non-metropolitan areas, losing competitiveness," emphasizing that it is time to reassess Korea's growth strategy dispassionately and seek fundamental change.
Kim emphasized that "the core of decentralization is 'autonomy and responsibility' and 'building trust,'" noting that distrust in the capabilities of local governments has been the biggest obstacle to expanding autonomy and finances.
He added, "We must gradually dismantle the distrust structure towards local governments, not just improve systems," stating, "I will strengthen the capabilities and accountability of local governments through the 5 polar 3 special strategy and build a trusting relationship with the central government."
Kim urged the staff, saying, "The historical task of expanding balanced growth and decentralization is not just the responsibility of the Lee Jae-myung government but a core national assignment that will determine Korea's future and destiny," and encouraged the Presidential Committee for Decentralization and Balanced Development to be a control tower at the forefront of national balanced growth and the expansion of decentralization, doing its best.