Chungnam Governor Park Soo-hyun (who also serves as the Head of the Chungcheong Inter-Provincial Alliance) expressed his strong commitment to strengthening the practical functions of the Alliance and fostering joint development across the Chungcheong region.

On October 22, Governor Park attended the '2026 Chungcheong Future Forum', hosted by the Kookmin Ilbo at the Courtyard by Marriott Sejong. He was joined by key figures including Chungbuk Governor Shin Yong-han, Sejong Mayor Cho Sang-ho, Daejeon Deputy Mayor Ji Young-han, Presidential Committee for Balanced National Development Chairperson Park Jung-hyun, and Chungcheong Inter-Provincial Council Chairperson Goo Hyung-seo.

Held under the theme "The Chungcheong Inter-Provincial Alliance Becomes the Standard for National Balanced Growth," the forum was organized to review the achievements and tasks following the launch of the Alliance and to explore future directions for development.

Following a keynote speech by Chairperson Park Jung-hyun, a panel discussion was held on the achievements and tasks of the Alliance. Moderated by Dankook University Professor Shin Yu-ho, the panel featured Chungbuk Research Institute Regional Spatial Research Department Head Jung Yong-il, Korea Research Institute for Human Settlements Balanced Growth Support Center Director Yoon Young-mo, and Pai Chai University Professor Choi Ho-taek.

During the forum, Governor Park emphasized, "The Chungcheong Inter-Provincial Alliance is a crucial foundation for resolving the capital-region-centric polarization and leading national balanced growth. By connecting Daejeon’s science and technology, Sejong’s administrative capital functions, and Chungnam and Chungbuk’s high-tech industrial bases, we must forge the Chungcheong region into South Korea’s new growth axis."

He continued, "Amid ongoing discussions on the administrative integration of Daejeon and Chungnam, it is vital to materialize the role and functions of the Chungcheong Inter-Provincial Alliance. We will pool the capabilities of all four cities and provinces to secure the enactment of a Special Act on the Chungcheong Inter-Provincial Alliance and ensure that super-regional cooperation translates into tangible outcomes."

In addition, Governor Park stressed the need for a joint response from the Chungcheong region regarding the government’s recent announcement of a plan to relocate 44 central administrative agencies to Sejong.

"The additional relocation of central administrative agencies to Sejong is not just an issue for Sejong alone, but for the entire Chungcheong region," Governor Park stated. "The Chungcheong region must respond together to ensure that Sejong's growth infuses new vitality into Daejeon, Chungnam, and Chungbuk, leading to a leap forward for the entire central region."

He added, "We will closely examine changes in mobility demand and living zones resulting from the relocation of administrative agencies, and jointly respond to expand roads and railways connecting the Chungcheong region. By prioritizing the establishment of a super-regional transportation network as our top joint project, we will vitalize the exchange of people, resources, and opportunities, and equip the Chungcheong region with the scale and cohesion needed to counter the metropolitan area."

Finally, Governor Park reiterated, "If the Chungcheong region creates successes in super-regional cooperation first, it can serve as a new model of local decentralization and balanced growth for other regions. We will gather the strength and wisdom of the four cities and provinces to make the Chungcheong Inter-Provincial Alliance a new standard for national balanced growth."

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