The Committee on Decentralization Reviews Implementation Status of Plans by 6 Agencies... 12 Rated 'Excellent'

KRW 8.5 Trillion Expansion of Local Taxes
Achievements Including Passage of the Integrated Transfer Act in the National Assembly

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Lee] The Presidential Committee on Autonomy and Decentralization announced on the 4th that it reported the implementation status of the autonomy and decentralization execution plan by each agency at the Cabinet meeting.

This evaluation checked and assessed the implementation status of six agencies carrying out 33 tasks of the '2019 Autonomy and Decentralization Execution Plan' established in February last year. The agencies are the Office for Government Policy Coordination, Ministry of Economy and Finance, Ministry of Education, Ministry of the Interior and Safety, National Police Agency, and the Committee on Autonomy and Decentralization.

Major achievements last year included the expansion of local finances by 8.5 trillion won through the increase of the local consumption tax rate, and the introduction of a prior consultation system for autonomy and decentralization, which allows for the prevention of infringement on local autonomy when central government ministries propose or amend laws and regulations.

Also, the 'Local Transfer Comprehensive Act,' which transfers 400 central government authorities and affairs to local governments at once for the first time in 16 years, passed the National Assembly on January 9. Accordingly, it has become possible to reflect regional characteristics in administration and respond quickly to residents' demands.

On the other hand, it was pointed out that major legislation related to the promotion of autonomy and decentralization has been delayed, resulting in a lack of tangible results felt by the public, and that there is insufficient consensus on the linkage and cooperation between educational autonomy and local autonomy at the regional level, which was evaluated as needing improvement.

The grades according to the evaluation results were 12 tasks such as the improvement of the national and local tax structure rated as 'Excellent,' 20 tasks such as the comprehensive transfer of central authority focusing on functions rated as 'Average,' and 1 task related to diversification of local government forms rated as 'Insufficient.'

Kim Soon-eun, Chairperson of the Committee on Autonomy and Decentralization, said, "I ask for the active efforts of related agencies and the interest and cooperation of the National Assembly," adding, "We will do our best to realize substantial autonomy and decentralization that can be felt at the regional level."

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