Park Chan-dae attends first Cabinet meeting as Association of Governors President

Park Chan-dae, the Mayor of Incheon and newly elected President of the Association of Governors of Korea, attended his first Cabinet meeting on the 25th following recent regulatory changes that allow the association's president to attend sessions regularly.

During the meeting, President Lee Jae-myung emphasized the importance of balanced national development, noting that the concentration of power in the Seoul metropolitan area poses a risk of regional extinction. President Lee remarked that Park faces a complex role, stating, “Incheon is part of the metropolitan area, so it will be somewhat ambiguous” regarding the potential conflict between metropolitan and provincial interests.

Park expressed his commitment to bridging the gap between local governments and the central administration, stating his intention to ensure that the concerns of various regions are reflected in national policies. He acknowledged the pressure of balancing his duties as the Mayor of Incheon with his responsibilities as the representative of all provincial governors. Key upcoming discussions are expected to include local fiscal autonomy, the relocation of public institutions, and the transition to a more productive national budget focused on high-tech industries.