Kim Ik-ju, Gwangju City Council Member, Announces Candidacy for Second Half Speaker Election

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Seon-gang] Kim Ik-ju, member of Gwangju City Council (Gwangsan-gu 1), officially announced his candidacy for the second half chairman election at a press conference held at the Gwangju City Council on the 8th.

Councilor Kim Ik-ju stated, "Gwangju citizens are asking whether the Gwangju City Council is properly checking the mayor and the superintendent of education, and whether it is truly a representative body of the citizens leading the executive branch," adding, "However, citizens are puzzled. Shamefully, our council is being harshly criticized as merely a rubber-stamp body."

He emphasized, "It is time for local councils to change. They must no longer be powerless councils dragged along by the executive branch, unable to propose any alternatives."

He continued, "The council itself must draw the big picture, establish regional development strategies, serve as a bridge between central and local politics, and faithfully act as a coordinator to focus the energy of the local community in one direction," adding, "When the executive branch goes astray, the council must propose alternatives and, through bold checks and supervision, drastically improve the quality of life for citizens. This is the most important task for the chairman in the second half."

He also said, "If I become chairman, I will innovate the chronic problem of the council's aide system and strengthen the council's oversight function over the executive branch," promising, "I will create a 'strong council, a well-performing Gwangju City Council.'"

Meanwhile, in the second half chairman election of the Gwangju City Council, Councilors Kim Ik-ju, Kim Yong-jip (Nam-gu 1), and Kim Jeom-gi (Nam-gu 2) have declared their candidacies and are competing.

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