President Lee: 'No future if we can't solve Seoul's concentration problem; must create an era of shared growth'

President Lee Jae-myung declared that South Korea must overcome the persistent issue of population and development concentration in the Seoul metropolitan area to secure a future for the nation. Speaking at a luncheon with mayors and county chiefs, Lee called for the creation of an 'era of shared growth' where all regions of the country can achieve progress together.

“

If we cannot resolve the chronic concentration in the Seoul metropolitan area and awaken the potential of the entire country, there is no future for us.

Lee highlighted the severe crisis facing the country, characterized by the "explosive crisis" in the Seoul region and the "extinction crisis" in provincial areas, both stemming from the overconcentration of the population. He asserted that failure to address these intertwined problems would leave South Korea without a future or hope.

To combat this, the government is pursuing major initiatives, including three "mega projects" and a "5-core, 3-special" development strategy. These aim to fundamentally reshape the nation's industrial landscape and improve the quality of life in regional areas, encompassing housing, education, welfare, and culture.

“

The problem of regional extinction and other issues like low birth rates and an aging population are major crises.

Emphasizing "region-led growth" as a core principle, President Lee committed to expanding the practical authority and financial resources of local governments. This empowerment is intended to enable regions to develop plans and achieve growth based on their unique characteristics and strengths. He also promised focused investments in talent and technology education, improved transportation and cultural facilities, and tourism to strengthen the foundation for this decentralized development model.

“

The explosive crisis in the Seoul metropolitan area and the extinction crisis in the provinces threaten South Korea's future from both sides simultaneously.

Lee underscored the necessity of collaboration between central and local governments, stating that the central government alone cannot resolve these challenges. He stressed that cooperation is essential to overcome the "one-core system" of the Seoul metropolitan area and foster a future where both the capital region and the provinces can coexist and develop harmoniously.

“

This is precisely why the sovereign government is actively working to comprehensively reorganize the industrial map of the entire country, centered around the three mega projects and the five-core, three-special strategy, and to improve the residential, educational, welfare, and cultural conditions in the provinces.