Public Interest Audit Request Regarding 'Provincial Assembly Legislative and Policy Support Officer Recruitment'

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Jucheol In] The Gyeongbuk Provincial Government Employees' Union announced on the 3rd that it has filed a public interest audit request with the Board of Audit and Inspection regarding the recruitment of fixed-term public officials with flexible working hours promoted by the Gyeongbuk Provincial Council for legislative and policy support.

The union stated, "Having paid aides in local councils is a legislative matter that should be regulated by law in the National Assembly," and added, "Despite repeatedly pointing out the lack of legal grounds, the budget was allocated and the recruitment process began, leading us to file a public interest audit request with the solidarity signatures of 730 public officials and residents."

They also emphasized, "A similar case was ruled illegal by the Supreme Court in 2017," and "The introduction of professional personnel to support local council members is specified in the full revision bill of the Local Autonomy Act, which is currently pending in the National Assembly and has not yet been implemented."

The Gyeongbuk Provincial Council promoted the recruitment of fixed-term public officials with flexible working hours for legislative and policy support at the end of last year and allocated a budget of 463 million KRW for the salaries of 12 personnel this year. In response, the union has demanded the suspension of the introduction, calling it a de facto personal paid aide policy assistant with a high likelihood of being a loophole.

However, the Provincial Council rebutted, stating, "This is a desperate measure to enhance legislative and policy capabilities that meet the expectations of the residents," and added, "For local councils to present effective policy alternatives beyond simple agenda review or checks, the help of professional personnel is necessary."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.