Merger mania deadline nets 46 proposals
Published: 01 Oct. 2009, 01:57
As the deadline for submitting voluntary merger proposals passed yesterday, 46 cities and counties from 18 regions across the country have tendered applications to the Ministry of Public Administration and Security. The number was slightly higher than the ministry’s estimation.
Merger mania spread across the country after the Lee Myung-bak administration promised to provide incentives to cities and counties volunteering to combine.
Starting this month, the central government will conduct surveys of regions that submitted merger proposals and hear the opinions of local officials. If city, county, district council members agree on merger, the areas will be combined. If any oppose the idea, the fate of the merger will be determined by voters. Joining the merger requires a third of residents’ participation in the voting.
If more than half of the residents vote in favor of merger, the merger will be authorized by the central government. If either side fails to meet any of the requirements, the merger will fail.
Cities and counties that merge and launch a new regional government next July will be offered administrative and financial assistance from the central government, President Lee pledged in his Aug. 15 Liberation Day address.
Changwon Mayor Park Wan-su held a press conference on Tuesday and told reporters that the city will submit a proposal to consolidate with Masan and Jinhae. “Based on resident survey results in support of the move, [Changwon] will propose the merger of three cities to the Public Administration Ministry on Sept. 30,” Park said.
Jinhae, South Gyeongsang will propose merging with Changwon, in the same province, according to Jinhae city officials.
In Gyeonggi, the cities of Seongnam, Hanam and Gwangju submitted a merger proposal.
Anyang, Gyeonggi submitted a proposal to consolidate with Gwacheon, Gunpo, and Uiwang. The fate of the consolidation, however, is unclear as not every city and county is opting to merge. Anyang’s committee has already submitted signatures of 19,251 of its residents to the Anyang city government. But Gwacheon, Gunpo, and Uiwang are opposed to the idea.
Suwon, Gyeonggi aims to merge with Osan and Hwaseong cities, but Osan and Hwaseong have stressed they want a merger without including Suwon.
Some city or county leaders have said they will oppose merger proposals submitted by neighboring cities or counties.
Jeonju, North Jeolla pushed for a merger with Wanju County and has already submitted a proposal to the ministry with the signatures of 20,672 Jeonju residents. Wanju County’s 3,182 residents have submitted a proposal as well, but the Wanju county head and the council committee are against the idea.
“It’s premature to consolidate a county and a city at this point,” a Wanju County official said.
By Kim Sang-woo, Kim Mi-ju [[email protected]]
Merger mania spread across the country after the Lee Myung-bak administration promised to provide incentives to cities and counties volunteering to combine.
Starting this month, the central government will conduct surveys of regions that submitted merger proposals and hear the opinions of local officials. If city, county, district council members agree on merger, the areas will be combined. If any oppose the idea, the fate of the merger will be determined by voters. Joining the merger requires a third of residents’ participation in the voting.
If more than half of the residents vote in favor of merger, the merger will be authorized by the central government. If either side fails to meet any of the requirements, the merger will fail.
Cities and counties that merge and launch a new regional government next July will be offered administrative and financial assistance from the central government, President Lee pledged in his Aug. 15 Liberation Day address.
Changwon Mayor Park Wan-su held a press conference on Tuesday and told reporters that the city will submit a proposal to consolidate with Masan and Jinhae. “Based on resident survey results in support of the move, [Changwon] will propose the merger of three cities to the Public Administration Ministry on Sept. 30,” Park said.
Jinhae, South Gyeongsang will propose merging with Changwon, in the same province, according to Jinhae city officials.
In Gyeonggi, the cities of Seongnam, Hanam and Gwangju submitted a merger proposal.
Anyang, Gyeonggi submitted a proposal to consolidate with Gwacheon, Gunpo, and Uiwang. The fate of the consolidation, however, is unclear as not every city and county is opting to merge. Anyang’s committee has already submitted signatures of 19,251 of its residents to the Anyang city government. But Gwacheon, Gunpo, and Uiwang are opposed to the idea.
Suwon, Gyeonggi aims to merge with Osan and Hwaseong cities, but Osan and Hwaseong have stressed they want a merger without including Suwon.
Some city or county leaders have said they will oppose merger proposals submitted by neighboring cities or counties.
Jeonju, North Jeolla pushed for a merger with Wanju County and has already submitted a proposal to the ministry with the signatures of 20,672 Jeonju residents. Wanju County’s 3,182 residents have submitted a proposal as well, but the Wanju county head and the council committee are against the idea.
“It’s premature to consolidate a county and a city at this point,” a Wanju County official said.
By Kim Sang-woo, Kim Mi-ju [[email protected]]
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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