Jeju Provincial Council Lowers Podium to Practice 'De-Authoritarianism'... First Time in 30 Years Since Inception

Installation of Adjustable Podium for Disabled Assembly Members

Jwa Nam-su, Chairman of the Jeju Provincial Council, is delivering the opening address from a lowered podium. Photo by Jeju Provincial Council

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Chang-won] The Jeju Provincial Council lowered the chairman's podium for the first time in 30 years since the revival of local councils in 1991.

It has been about a month since Chairman Jwa Nam-su, who was elected as the chairman of the 11th Provincial Council's second half in July, stated, "I will lower the chairman's podium to maintain a horizontal relationship with the council members."

The Jeju Provincial Council announced on the 16th that it recently completed the work of lowering the chairman's podium through renovation of the main assembly hall immediately after Chairman Jwa Nam-su's inauguration.

In addition to the lowered podium, a ramp was installed for disabled council members, and transparent partitions were set up between desks to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

On this day, Chairman Jwa Nam-su expressed his intention to personally practice 'de-authoritarianism' reflecting the current times in his opening remarks at the 387th extraordinary session.

Chairman Jwa said, "Since this is the first time the chairman's podium has been lowered since the council's opening, we must become a new council through legislative activities that meet the eye level of the residents."

Immediately after the plenary session, Councilor Kim Kyung-mi shared her thoughts from the adjustable podium.

Councilor Kim, who usually conducts legislative activities using an electric wheelchair, said, "I am glad to be able to ask questions about the provincial administration from the main assembly podium," and added, "I hope November (provincial administration questions) comes soon."

It is known that the Jeju Provincial Council spent about 20 million won to lower the chairman's podium and install an adjustable podium for disabled council members.

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