Ruling party fast-tracks regional merger, opposition cries foul

South Korea’s ruling liberal bloc is moving to fast-track a merger of Daejeon and South Chungcheong Province, calling it a game-changer for a country long struggling with decades of Greater Seoul concentration. The main opposition People Power Party, however, has accused the ruling camp of rushing the plan to gain an electoral edge with the 2026 local elections approaching — setting off yet another clash between the rival parties. The government, the ruling Democratic Party of Korea and the pres