Progress of Decentralization Promotion Tasks: 16 out of 33 Tasks Rated 'Excellent'

Complete Revision of the Local Autonomy Act After 32 Years, Enactment of the Local Transfer Act, Legalization of the Autonomous Police System Achieved
However, Related Legislative Amendments Still Under Discussion in the National Assembly... "Agreement on Phase 2 Fiscal Decentralization Plan Also Delayed"

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] Among the 33 promotion tasks related to the implementation of decentralized autonomy, 16 tasks, including 'Guaranteeing Residents' Participation Rights' and 'Introduction of Metropolitan-Level Autonomous Police System,' received an 'Excellent' evaluation.

On the 16th, the Presidential Committee on Decentralization announced that it evaluated the implementation status of each institution regarding the '2020 Decentralization Implementation Plan' through deliberation and resolution by the committee and reported the results to the Cabinet meeting. This evaluation assessed the implementation status of 33 promotion tasks established last year to concretely realize the 2018 Comprehensive Decentralization Plan, focusing on whether tangible results perceptible to the public were achieved.

Among the 33 promotion tasks, 16 tasks, including 'Guaranteeing Residents' Participation Rights' and 'Introduction of Metropolitan-Level Autonomous Police System,' mostly adhered to the promotion schedule and content, receiving an excellent evaluation. Seventeen tasks, such as 'Introduction of Residents' Direct Initiative System for Ordinance Enactment and Amendment' and 'Improvement of National and Local Tax Structures,' were rated as average due to incomplete enactment or amendment of related laws and delayed consultations with relevant agencies, with no tasks rated as insufficient.

Among the tasks, one task, 'Expansion and Rational Reorganization of the Regional Win-Win Development Fund,' completed the reorganization of the Win-Win Development Fund by revising related regulations such as cooperative bylaws, while the remaining 32 tasks aim for phased completion by 2022. Additionally, amendments and enactments of eight laws related to decentralization, including the Local Autonomy Act, Police Act, and Local Government Transfer Act, have been completed. As additional institutionalization measures, 13 bills, including the Residents' Ordinance Initiative Act, Central-Local Cooperation Council Act, and Local Tax Act, have been submitted to the National Assembly and are under review.

The committee evaluated that the complete revision of the Local Autonomy Act for the first time in 32 years laid the foundation for expanding decentralization by strengthening the principle of resident autonomy, establishing residents' participation rights, and introducing provisions for local governments' obligation to disclose information to residents. Through amendments to the Police Act and others, the legal framework for introducing the metropolitan-level autonomous police system was completed, with full implementation scheduled from July 1 this year.

Furthermore, by enacting the Local Government Transfer Act, a method to transfer about 400 local affairs at once enables a revolutionary transfer of central authority to local governments. Institutional foundations were also established to strengthen the autonomy and transparency of local councils, including granting appointment authority over affiliated staff to local council chairs, introducing policy support professionals, and mandating the establishment of ethics review advisory committees including civilian members.

However, it was pointed out that the legislative process for subsidiary laws related to decentralization is still under discussion in the National Assembly, and the agreement on the second phase of fiscal decentralization measures is delayed.

Kim Soon-eun, Chairperson of the Decentralization Committee, stated, "Although there were various achievements through last year's decentralization implementation plan, there remains regret in realizing decentralization that meets the public's expectations. We will recommend implementation measures to the relevant agencies for the improvements and supplements revealed through this evaluation and reflect them in this year's decentralization implementation plan to open the era of Decentralization 2.0 through the realization of practical decentralization that can be felt in local communities."

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