![A plenary session of the North Gyeongsang Provincial Council on Jan. 28. [Photo provided by the North Gyeongsang Provincial Council]](https://image.ajunews.com/content/image/2026/01/29/20260129012609271015.jpg)
The North Gyeongsang Provincial Council said it passed a motion titled “Submission of the council’s opinion on the integration of North Gyeongsang Province and Daegu Metropolitan City” at the first plenary meeting of its 360th extraordinary session on Jan. 28. The vote was 46 in favor, 11 against and two abstentions.
The resolution, submitted under Article 5, Paragraph 3 of the Local Autonomy Act, formally states the council’s position on the proposed integration. The council said it took up the matter directly in the plenary session, citing urgency and the need to manage its schedule efficiently, and approved it through a recorded electronic vote.
The council described the move as a strategic choice aimed at supporting follow-up steps at the national level, including legislation for a special law related to the integration.
Ahead of the plenary vote, the council held the third meeting of its special committee on the Daegu-North Gyeongsang integration and a lawmakers’ general meeting on Jan. 27. Council members reviewed key issues and held extensive discussions, it said.
During deliberations, members discussed responses to National Assembly action on a special integration law, measures to address regional imbalances such as concerns about the northern area being left behind, and strategies to attract a second round of public institutions after integration.
In the plenary debate, opponents raised concerns that the talks were moving too quickly and said the push should proceed cautiously without sufficient public input.
Supporters argued that integration between North Gyeongsang and Daegu is a choice that can no longer be delayed to counter the risk of regional decline, and said the current period is the right time because the central government is actively supporting the effort.
Council Chair Park Seong-man called the decision “a historic determination” to create a new breakthrough for local autonomy in South Korea as regions face the risk of decline. He said the council presented its opinion in line with residents’ wishes and would closely monitor the entire legislative process so residents’ voices are properly reflected.
Park added that the integration is not simply a merger of two areas, but a long-term plan to build a broader economic zone with global competitiveness and a new model for balanced development. He said the council would play an active role so the decision can lead to regional development, improved public welfare and a stronger local economy.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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