Justice Party Criticizes Seoul Metropolitan Council Dominated by Democratic Party of Korea

Seoul City Councilor Kwon Su-jeong of the Justice Party Criticizes Democratic Party's Monopoly, Claiming Planning and Economy Committee Application Was Ignored

Assemblywoman Kwon Su-jeong (left)

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] On the 14th, the Seoul Metropolitan Council held the 296th extraordinary session and proceeded with the reorganization of the latter half of the council that will lead the Seoul Metropolitan Council for about the next two years.

During this extraordinary session, the appointment of members to each standing committee and the Steering Committee of the Seoul Metropolitan Council, as well as the election of standing committee chairpersons, took place.

According to the Seoul Metropolitan Council's operating rules, the assignment of standing committee members must go through a democratic process in which the Mayor of Seoul listens to the opinions of council members individually.

Therefore, Councilor Kwon Su-jeong (Justice Party, proportional representation) applied for the Planning and Economy Committee to listen more closely to the voices from labor sites and to meet various citizens and experts, aiming to take a step closer to improving labor rights and the quality of life of Seoul citizens.

However, contrary to Councilor Kwon's application, she was assigned to the Health and Welfare Committee, which was her third choice.

Regarding the selection of the standing committee, Councilor Kwon claimed that she requested to make a statement during the council proceedings, but Chairperson Kim In-ho ignored and forcibly processed the matter without following council procedures.

Councilor Kwon criticized, "The basic principle of democracy is to consider minority opinions so that they are not excluded, which is an important value stated in the Constitution. However, there was no democracy in the Seoul Metropolitan Council, which was swept clean by the Democratic Party of Korea."

She added that the Democratic Party members divided the standing committee assignments among themselves like sharing a meal, prioritizing the assignment of former committee chairpersons from the first half to their desired committees. This indicated that the monopolization of power by a large group was taking place in the Seoul Metropolitan Council, where democracy should come first.

Councilor Kwon further stated, "Where autocracy is possible, dictatorship eventually occurs. This is proven by countless historical mistakes. Now that the true face of the Democratic Party, which prioritizes its own interests over citizens' rights, is gradually being revealed, the damage inevitably falls on the citizens of Seoul."

She also said, "At a time when painful incidents related to the Democratic Party of Korea continue to occur, the council, which requires a more humble attitude to listen, must strongly condemn these undemocratic behaviors."

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