Gwangju City Council and 5 District Councils Urge Prompt Passage of 'Ateukbeop' Amendment Bill

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Seon-gang] The Gwangju Metropolitan Council and the basic councils of five autonomous districts in the Gwangju area issued a statement on the 14th urging the National Assembly to promptly process the amendment bill to the 'Special Act on the Establishment of the National Asia Culture Center City.'

All local council members in the Gwangju area condemned, through the statement, “The amendment bill to the Special Act on the Establishment of the National Asia Culture Center City was proposed last August and referred to the Subcommittee on Culture and Arts Legislation of the National Assembly's Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee, but there has been no progress at all until now.”

In particular, they stated, “The People Power Party disrupted the operation of the Subcommittee on Legislation by preventing any discussion on the amendment bill, citing it as a contentious bill. Recently, they refused to discuss the amendment, claiming that additional costs would be incurred and many preparations such as employment issues are needed. They have opposed it by distorting the facts, arguing that the entire complex is trying to change from its original corporate organization to a state-affiliated institution.”

They added, “The claims of the People Power Party are absolutely untrue. The National Asia Culture Center is currently operated as a government-affiliated national institution, and there are almost no additional costs incurred. The National Assembly Budget Office has clearly stated that this is not a bill subject to cost estimation.”

They raised their voices, saying, “To prove that the appearance of Kim Jong-in, the emergency committee chairman, kneeling and apologizing at the May 18 National Cemetery and his call for solidarity with Honam were not mere 'political shows,' the People Power Party should cooperate in processing the amendment bill.”

They emphasized, “We hope that the Democratic Party lawmakers will not forget the fundamental reason why Gwangju gave full support and ensure that the amendment bill is passed within this year. If the amendment bill is not processed within this year, the National Asia Culture Center will inevitably have to be corporatized. We hope they will not overlook this and betray the long-standing wishes of the citizens of Gwangju.”

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