[Photo] Lee Dong-jin, Dobong-gu Mayor, Attends Prime Minister's Thursday Dialogue

Dobong-gu Mayor Lee Dong-jin Urges 'Local Government Authority and Financial Independence' in Responding to 'Population Crisis'

Lee Dong-jin, Dobong District Mayor (Standing Vice Chairman of the National Association of Mayors, Governors and District Heads, third from the left in the photo), attended the "21st Thursday Dialogue" held at the Prime Minister's Official Residence on October 15, where he participated in a discussion on the topic of "Population Crisis Outlook and Response Directions" and took a commemorative photo with the attendees.

[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] On the 15th, Lee Dong-jin, Mayor of Dobong-gu, attended the ‘21st Thursday Dialogue’ held at the Prime Minister’s Official Residence in Samcheong-dong as the Standing Vice Chairman of the Korea Association of Mayors, Governors and District Heads.

The ‘21st Thursday Dialogue’ was held under the theme of ‘Population Crisis Outlook and Response Directions,’ where representatives from labor, economy, politics, civil society, and local governments shared the rapidly changing population trends and exchanged opinions on policy directions from each sector’s perspective.

During the discussion, Lee Dong-jin, Standing Vice Chairman of the Korea Association of Mayors, Governors and District Heads (Mayor of Dobong-gu), stated, “The issues of low birthrate, aging population, and regional extinction are long-term entrenched problems, but they are not issues that the government can bear and solve alone,” expressing his views on the role of local governments.

The Vice Chairman emphasized, “It is important to create a foundation where local governments can have authority and finances to develop self-sustaining capabilities to overcome these challenges on their own,” urging the prompt revision of the ‘Local Autonomy Act Comprehensive Amendment Bill.’

He also introduced institutional measures included in the Local Autonomy Act Comprehensive Amendment Bill that seek to find win-win solutions by enabling each region to have legal status as a regional special autonomous body through solidarity and cooperation, sharing resources and manpower.

Meanwhile, the ‘Thursday Dialogue’ is held weekly under the leadership of Prime Minister Jeong Sye-kyun as a forum for open communication with various sectors of society to discuss conflicts arising in different areas and to work together for a better future.

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