Jinan County Council, 8th Term First Half Legislative Activities Summary

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Go Dallyoung] Launched in July 2018 with new hopes and visions, the 8th Jinangun Council in the first half of its term has served as the representative body and volunteer for the residents, dedicating the past two years to becoming a council that listens to the will of the people. It has done its utmost to implement field-centered legislative activities by visiting livelihood sites closely related to residents' lives and to realize an open council for communication and harmony among residents.

▶ Faithful to the role of the council as a representative institution

The 8th Jinangun Council in the first half of its term aimed to fulfill the council’s fundamental functions of vigorous legislative activities, thorough review of budgets and settlements, and administrative audits to monitor and check the executive branch as working council members.

Through five regular sessions and eleven extraordinary sessions, the council conducted a total of 210 days of meetings, handling 225 agenda items including 30 ordinances initiated by council members.

Additionally, it reviewed administrative audits, budgets, and settlements, and through 28 in-depth questions on overall county administration directly related to residents' lives and 17 five-minute free speeches, it proposed policy alternatives on current administrative issues, striving to improve the quality of life for residents.

In particular, it conducted a 164-day administrative investigation into Jinangun Medical Center, examining overall matters such as accounting and operations, resulting in 30 corrective actions across eight areas, one disciplinary action, and three prosecutions. This enhanced efficient personnel management and financial transparency at the medical center, contributing to the realization of medical welfare for residents.

The Special Committee on Administrative Audits expanded the scope of audits beyond routine and repetitive work inspections by conducting on-site verifications in areas that directly impact residents' quality of life, environment, and the local economy. It pointed out 270 corrective and improvement items, providing constructive directions and standards for county administration.

The Special Committee on Budget and Settlement demanded the executive branch to reconsider and make prudent judgments on projects with low feasibility and effectiveness, enhancing project effectiveness by focusing budget allocation and investment on projects that benefit residents evenly.

▶ Active efforts to resolve local issues

To hear the vivid voices from the field and reflect them in legislative activities, the council visited 63 major project sites to review the feasibility and practicality of projects, carefully examining issues such as complaints arising from project implementation, safety management, and follow-up management. This proactive field-centered legislative activity ensured that projects reflecting residents' voices were promoted, striving to realize a council that approaches residents more closely.

▶ Implementation of advanced legislative activities through capacity building and self-development

To foster a research-oriented and progressive council atmosphere and strengthen council members’ capabilities, education and training sessions with experts in various fields were conducted. Council members accumulated diverse expertise, evaluated Jinangun policies and major projects, and proposed constructive alternatives. By actively incorporating various opinions into legislative activities and establishing a council culture of research and study, numerous ordinances beneficial to residents’ welfare were enacted and amended, yielding significant results.

▶ Realizing a more developed council through mutual cooperation and communication

After holding the opening ceremony in July 2018 and smoothly organizing the first half leadership, the Jinangun Council successfully completed its first half term legislative activities despite four out of seven council members being first-term members.

The reason for the successful legislative activities of the 8th council was the unity of all members cooperating for residents’ welfare and legislative development. Through meetings for internal communication among members, opinions were coordinated and reflected in legislative activities. Regular weekly council meetings were held to unify members’ opinions whenever there were pending issues.

Moreover, by approaching residents through legislative activities, the council frequently visited project sites and complaint locations related to local issues to inspect progress and difficulties, striving to improve and resolve problems, thus becoming a council that takes a step closer to the residents.

- Shin Gapsu, Chairperson of Jinangun Council

As the chairperson of the 8th council’s first half term, I have run forward for two years with the goal that residents’ happiness is the top priority. I sincerely thank the residents for their active support, which allowed me to devote myself to legislative activities during my term.

Looking back, it has truly been a breathless journey. Even amid ongoing natural disasters and the global crisis caused by COVID-19, I held the belief that the answer is always on the ground. Communicating with residents and under the slogan “A council that listens to the will of the residents,” I have done my best in unity with fellow council members.

Reflecting on the achievements made while sharing the breath of the residents, I would like to say it was a rewarding time. I ask for the continued unwavering support of the residents and will respond as a steadfast worker who never loses the initial intention.

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