Seoul Metropolitan Council Democratic Party Holds Meeting to Explore Local Government Roles in Post-Corona and Green New Deal Era

Seoul City Council Democratic Party Study Group 'Wednesday Morning · Deoksugung Forum' Launched... Seeking Policy Directions for Local Governments Including Seoul in the Post-COVID Era Under the Theme 'Finding Answers Locally in the COVID Era'... Lecture by Yoo Chang-bok, Author of 'Post-COVID and Local New Deal' and Director of the Future Autonomy and Decentralization Research Institute

[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] The Democratic Party floor leader group of the Seoul Metropolitan Council (representative councilors Jo Sang-ho, Seodaemun 4) launched a regular policy forum called 'Wednesday Morning · Deoksugung Forum,' inviting experts from various social fields to deeply share and discuss social issues and policy agendas. The first lecture was held at 7:30 a.m. on the 14th under the theme 'Finding Answers Locally in the COVID-19 Era.'

Hosted by Lee Sang-hoon, the senior deputy floor leader of the Democratic Party (Administration and Security Committee, Gangbuk 2), the forum featured a keynote lecture by Director Yoo Chang-bok, followed by a Q&A and open discussion among attending councilors.

Director Yoo Chang-bok, author of 'Post-COVID and Local New Deal,' currently serves as the head of the Future Autonomy and Decentralization Research Institute under the Association of Autonomous Decentralized Local Governments.

Director Yoo argued, “Although many aspects of our lives have changed due to COVID-19, the core change is local.” He explained, “The era of local-tact is upon us, characterized by a shift from long-distance to short-distance movement, from large gatherings to dispersed small groups, and from anonymous risks to daily life based on trusted interpersonal conventions.”

There was also intensive discussion on the climate crisis and the Green New Deal. It is widely pointed out that the fundamental cause of new viral diseases like COVID-19 is environmental pollution and the resulting climate change. Therefore, the fundamental solution requires a transition to sustainable development through the Green New Deal.

Regarding this trend, Director Yoo stated, “The transition to a decarbonized industrial structure inevitably shakes the industrial system, potentially causing many workers to lose their jobs, so a robust social safety net is essential.” He emphasized that local governments must play a crucial role in this process.

He explained, “The entities that create a dense social safety net are ultimately frontline local governments, as they are closest to citizens and support them directly. The breakthrough at the community level to respond to COVID-19 and the climate crisis is the Local New Deal.”

Finally, on the strategy for resident autonomy and the local circular economy, he raised his voice that the core is ‘local jobs’ and that jobs must shift to being centered on ‘residents’ lives.’

Director Yoo argued, “We must move from unilateral services to reciprocal care, from labor compensation to public recognition.” He also stressed that administration should strengthen its functions of integration and opportunity adjustment and strive to establish an autonomous decentralized fiscal execution system to respond to the climate crisis.

Senior Deputy Floor Leader Lee Sang-hoon said, “In the post-COVID-19 disaster society, the Local New Deal is now indispensable, and more concrete policies are needed to address human, ecological, and economic issues together.” He added that the Deoksugung Forum will be operated with substance and depth alongside experts from various fields to actively contribute to the development of major Seoul city policies.

Along with Representative Councilor Jo Sang-ho, 20 Seoul Metropolitan Council members attended the forum. The attending councilors evaluated the event as a meaningful opportunity to understand the roles and challenges of local governments preparing for the post-COVID era and to deeply discuss practical strategies for the Local New Deal as resident autonomy and a local circular economy.

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