Korea weighs Chungnam–Daejeon–Chungbuk regional integration amid housing costs
President Lee Jae-myung spoke at a town hall in Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province, on March 13, 2026, titled “Listening to Chungbuk’s Heart.” He described a government discussion about whether the three neighboring regions—Chungcheongnam-do, Daejeon, and potentially Chungcheongbuk-do—should be unified into a larger framework for living conditions and administrative governance.
Lee argued that regional competitiveness may require more than voluntary cooperation between provinces; a broader, integrated approach could be more effective. He noted that the rapid push to merge Chungnam and Daejeon appeared to have stalled or veered off course, suggesting that integration is complex and may not unfold as planned.
He then asked how Chungbuk should respond if Chungnam and Daejeon move toward integration: should Chungcheongnam-do and Chungcheongbuk-do each pursue their own paths, or is there a need for a broader strategy that preserves opportunity for residents in the longer term? He urged residents to consider not only current life but how future generations might access opportunities in their region.
On housing, the president called attention to affordability, pointing out that some Seoul areas still exceed 200 million won per pyeong in price, and that in Chungbuk there are places where a single apartment costs 200 to 300 million won. The remarks underscore ongoing concerns about housing costs and regional disparities inside Korea.
Lee also touched on other local challenges. He noted that Chungbuk’s location near the Seoul metropolitan area can bring negative effects, including disputes over waste management as waste from the capital region has been sent to Chungbuk and nearby Gangwon, angering residents. He added that power transmission lines pass through the region, contributing to local burdens while opportunities may feel unevenly distributed.
The event was attended by senior government officials, including Lee Hyeong-hoon, the second vice minister of Health and Welfare; Kim Yun-deok, Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport; Kim Jung-kwan, Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy; Kim Yong-beom, the policy chief; Ha Joon-kyung, the economic growth senior adviser; and Moon Jin-Young, the social policy chief, all shown alongside the president in accompanying imagery.
This discussion reflects Korea’s ongoing debate over balanced regional development and governance. For international observers and U.S. readers, the dynamic is relevant for its potential implications for domestic policy, regional investment, housing markets, and energy infrastructure planning that can influence supply chains, manufacturing ecosystems, and the broader business environment in a key Asia-Pacific economy.