Daegu and Gyeongsangbuk-do seek administrative integration by 2028

Daegu Metropolitan City and Gyeongsangbuk-do Province are intensifying efforts to pass a special law for administrative integration through the National Assembly within the year. The goal is to launch an Integrated Special City by 2028.

The integration aims to address critical regional challenges, including rapid population decline and the outflow of young residents. Projections suggest the combined population of the two regions could drop from 4.92 million in 2025 to 3.96 million by 2052. By merging resources, the regions hope to create a mega-regional economic zone capable of competing with the Seoul metropolitan area.

The proposed special law includes provisions for increased fiscal and administrative autonomy, granting the new entity status comparable to Seoul. Key strategic plans involve linking the Daegu-Gyeongbuk New Airport, industrial belts in Gumi and Pohang, and energy resources along the East Coast. To ensure balanced growth, the local governments are developing regional development strategies to prevent the marginalization of northern Gyeongbuk areas.