Late Teens Seoul Metropolitan Council Organization

Election of 10 Standing Committee Chairs Including Chairman Kim Jeong-tae... Chairman Kim In-ho States, "We Will Be Recognized by Citizens as a Legislature Focused on Legislation and Policy, and by Senior and Fellow Members as a Field-Oriented, Practical Chair"

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] The Seoul Metropolitan Council (Chairman Kim In-ho) held the 296th extraordinary session at 2 p.m. on the 14th to organize the second half of the 10th Seoul Metropolitan Council and elected 10 standing committee chairpersons.

On this day, Assemblyman Kim Jeong-tae was elected as the Chairperson of the Steering Committee. Also elected were Lee Hyun-chan as Chairperson of the Administration and Autonomy Committee, Chae In-mook of the Planning and Economy Committee, Kim Jeong-hwan of the Environment and Water Resources Committee, Hwang Gyu-bok of the Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee, Lee Young-sil of the Health and Welfare Committee, Seong Heum-je of the Urban Safety and Construction Committee, Kim Hee-geol of the Urban Planning and Management Committee, Woo Hyung-chan of the Transportation Committee, and Choi Ki-chan of the Education Committee.

Chairman Kim In-ho (Democratic Party of Korea, Dongdaemun 3) expressed deep sorrow and regret over the unexpected situation before starting his opening remarks, offering condolences and encouragement to citizens who were shocked by the sudden news. He also stated that, as a co-responsible party for the safety and happiness of citizens, the consistency of city administration and the continuity of citizens’ daily lives will be prioritized as the most important tasks.

He then expressed gratitude to the chairpersons and standing committee chairpersons who led the first half of the council excellently, emphasizing that the second half of the council carries the heavy responsibility of “overcoming the COVID-19 crisis,” making the role of local councils more important than ever.

First, the Seoul Metropolitan Council, as the representative of citizens who deliberates and approves budgets and monitors and checks the executive branch’s affairs, pledged to ensure that the three supplementary budgets prepared in the first half of this year are used without any setbacks in the planned areas, and that major ongoing projects are continuously carried out without any gaps in city administration.

Second, the Seoul Metropolitan Council stated that it is a legislative body that identifies blind spots in policies and creates a dense social safety net. It emphasized that each standing committee, which has just been organized and is starting full-scale activities, will possess outstanding expertise more than ever and focus on legislative and policy-centered council activities to devote themselves to effective legislative work.

Third, the Seoul Metropolitan Council described itself as the eldest and central axis leading local councils nationwide, stating that it will work in unison with local councils and local governments across the country to ensure that the “Local Autonomy Act Amendment Bill,” resubmitted to the 21st National Assembly on the 3rd, passes as soon as possible. It was stated that if local councils nationwide acquire status and authority befitting 30 years of local autonomy history and implement specific policies tailored to regional circumstances, citizens’ daily lives can change significantly.

Furthermore, it was announced that in realizing this goal, all 110 Seoul council members, as well as the Seoul Metropolitan Government and the Office of Education, will communicate and cooperate together to enhance completeness.

Finally, Chairman Kim stated that “the role of the chairperson is to be a silent supporter behind the scenes who assists assembly members and a companion who communicates and deliberates alongside them.” He emphasized that he will be recognized by citizens as a working council focused on legislation and policy, and by senior and fellow assembly members as a field-oriented, practical chairperson.

This extraordinary session conducted elections to organize the second half of the 10th Seoul Metropolitan Council and elected 10 standing committee chairpersons by vote.

Immediately after the closing of the plenary session, a commemorative ceremony for the opening of the second half of the 10th Seoul Metropolitan Council will be held in the Seoul Metropolitan Council plenary hall, attended by 110 council members as well as officials from the Seoul Metropolitan Government and the Office of Education, where they will pledge to prioritize the livelihood of citizens.

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