Rival camps have clashed over the issue of metropolitan‑level administrative mergers.

On the last day of the National Assembly's inquiry on government officials on Wednesday, the main opposition People Power Party(PPP) said the mergers being pushed by the government and ruling camp are merely "empty shells" that lack any substantive transfer of authority. 

The ruling Democratic Party, on its part, said the opposition camp was hindering efforts to pursue administrative mergers by picking on every detail. 

In response to the PPP's statement, Prime Minster Kim Min-seok said the government will be adding 20 trillion won over four years to support merger efforts.

The prime minister added that the mergers that are being considered will not be able to materialize if the National Assembly fails to pass a related law by the end of this month.