'Oh Se-hoon Organizational Restructuring Plan' City Council Approval Fails... Plenary Session Postponed to 15th

"City Council Member's Family Tests Positive for COVID-19"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The approval of Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon's organizational restructuring plan was postponed due to a COVID-19 confirmation in a family member of a Seoul City Council member.

On the 10th, the City Council announced that the 301st regular session plenary meeting, originally scheduled for 2 p.m. that day, would be held at 2 p.m. on the 15th to ensure COVID-19 prevention measures.

As a result, the review of Mayor Oh's organizational restructuring plan was also delayed. Until now, Seoul City and the City Council have repeatedly revised the restructuring plan, which mainly involves upgrading the Housing Construction Headquarters to the Housing Policy Office and abolishing the Seoul Democracy Committee.

The organizational restructuring plan, on which Seoul City and the City Council have differing opinions, includes the abolition of the Seoul Democracy Committee and changing the Labor and Livelihood Policy Officer to the Fair and Win-Win Policy Officer. There are also reported disagreements regarding the newly established 'Education Platform Promotion Team,' created to fulfill Mayor Oh's campaign promises.

In response, Seoul City, concerned about disruptions to city administration, has taken a step back by stating that it will not change the Labor and Livelihood Policy Officer to the Fair and Win-Win Policy Officer for the time being. In fact, Seoul City has preserved the term 'Labor' through consultations with the City Council. A Seoul City official explained, "The name itself is not the crucial part," adding, "We proceeded with mutual coordination."

However, neither side appears willing to back down regarding the abolition of the Seoul Democracy Committee. Seoul City maintains that, given the considerable inefficiencies experienced during its operation, the change is aimed at more efficient management, while the City Council, led by senior members, argues that it is part of an effort to erase the legacy of the late Park Won-soon.

In reality, the Seoul Democracy Committee, which will be maintained until July, is close to being downsized or abolished under Seoul City's restructuring plan. During former Mayor Park's term, the committee operated with 4 divisions and 16 teams. However, Seoul City plans to absorb it by establishing the Citizen Cooperation Bureau, a level 2 bureau, expanding the 3 divisions and 9 teams of the level 3 Seoul Innovation Planning Officer.

The City Council holds the position that the restructuring plan goes against the era of local autonomy and expanded citizen participation, and that concluding the committee, which has been in existence for two years, as inefficient due to lack of achievements is premature.

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