President Lee pledges expanded local authority to combat regional extinction

President Lee Jae-myung hosted a luncheon meeting at the Presidential Office for mayors, county governors, and district heads of the 9th local elections. During the meeting, the President identified the concentration of population in the Seoul metropolitan area and the resulting regional extinction as critical national crises.

To address these issues, the administration pledged to expand the authority and financial support of local governments, allowing them to develop growth strategies tailored to their specific regional characteristics. The President introduced the ‘Regional Preference Index’ to provide greater support to areas located further from Seoul and emphasized integrated investments in education, regional transportation, culture, and tourism.

Representatives of the local governments, including Jo Jae-gu, head of the Association of Mayors, County Governors, and District Heads, expressed their commitment to working alongside the central government to realize balanced national growth. Additionally, the meeting included a declaration to prioritize resident safety and livelihood, while the President also expressed concern regarding nine South Korean employees whose whereabouts remain unknown following recent floods in Nepal.