Assemblyman Lee Hyung-seok Receives Appreciation Plaque for Contributions to the Complete Revision of the Local Autonomy Act

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] Lee Hyung-seok, Member of the National Assembly (Democratic Party of Korea·Gwangju Buk-gu Eul), was recognized for his contribution to the full revision of the 'Local Autonomy Act' for the first time in 32 years.

According to Lee Hyung-seok's office on the 16th, the assemblyman received a plaque of appreciation from Jo Young-hoon (Chairman of the Seoul Jung-gu Council), chairman of the National Association of City, County, and District Council Chairpersons, at the 232nd City and Province Representatives Meeting held at the Holiday Inn Hotel Convention Hall 1 in Gwangju Metropolitan City.

The 'Local Autonomy Act' was last amended in 1988, and a full revision bill was passed by the 21st National Assembly at the end of last year after 32 years.

As a member of the 21st National Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee, Lee played a leading role in the passage of the full revision bill of the Local Autonomy Act by participating in National Assembly public hearings to emphasize the necessity of the revision suitable for the new decentralized governance environment, strengthening resident sovereignty, and promoting region-centered decentralization, while urging prompt legislation.

The revised full amendment of the Local Autonomy Act lowered the threshold for residents' right to request audits, thereby enhancing residents' policy participation rights. It also expanded the scope of information disclosure to increase the accountability and transparency of local governments and made the establishment of an Ethics Special Committee mandatory.

Furthermore, not only metropolitan but also basic local councils will have personnel authority and policy support specialists. Cities with a population of over one million will be designated as special cities, and considering administrative demand, balanced regional development, and the crisis of local extinction, separate special provisions can be granted to cities, counties, and districts nationwide, marking a significant advancement in local autonomy.

Lee said, "With the passage of the full revision of the Local Autonomy Act laying the foundation for the transformation of local governments and local councils, I hope that basic local governments will have appropriate authority and responsibility to implement resident autonomy policies tailored to local conditions and characteristics, providing better administrative services to residents."

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