Jeonbuk National Assembly Members' First Bill, Difficult Journey to Pass the National Assembly

Complex Interests Among Parties and Regions

[Jeonju=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Han-ho] Members of the National Assembly from Jeonbuk have mostly proposed the first bills they promised during last year's general election, but a challenging journey is expected before these bills pass the plenary session of the National Assembly.

Many of the bills are entangled with interests between ruling and opposition parties as well as regional concerns, and they also have a strong connection to issues that remained unresolved during the 20th National Assembly.

Rep. Kim Yoon-duk (Jeonju Gap) proposed the "Partial Amendment to the Local Autonomy Act" and the "Partial Amendment to the Special Act on Decentralization of Local Autonomy and Reorganization of Local Administrative Systems" on June 10 last year.

These bills include provisions to designate special cities in Jeonbuk, Chungbuk, and Gangwon, which do not have metropolitan cities.

However, the "Complete Amendment to the Local Autonomy Act" passed during the regular session on December 9 last year allows special cities to be designated only in metropolitan areas with a population of over one million.

The goal of designating Jeonju as a special city has effectively been nullified.

Rep. Lee Sang-jik (Jeonju Eul), who is currently detained on charges of embezzlement and breach of trust, was the first among the provincial lawmakers to propose a "Value-Added Tax Act Amendment" on June 1 last year.

The main point was to raise the application threshold for the simplified taxation system from an annual sales amount of 48 million KRW to 100 million KRW.

However, many lawmakers proposed similar amendments, and as the government prepared and submitted an alternative bill, his proposal was withdrawn to reflect the alternative.

The bill submitted by the government was passed during last year's regular session. However, the passed bill only raised the application threshold for the simplified taxation system to an annual sales amount of 80 million KRW. For Rep. Lee, this was a half-success.

Rep. Kim Sung-joo (Jeonju Byeong) promised to propose an amendment to the "Act on the Establishment and Development of Financial Centers," keeping in mind the designation of Jeonbuk Innovation City as the third financial center.

However, rather than immediately achieving the designation of the third financial center through legal amendments, it was judged that efforts such as linking the National Pension Service with various financial institutions to vitalize the financial market, conducting research projects for operating financial centers or regionally specialized financial cities, and holding financial forums should accompany the process. Thus, a dual strategy of preparing the bill and fostering the financial ecosystem is being pursued.

Rep. Kim Soo-heung (Iksan Gap) proposed the "Special Act on the Promotion and Development of Local Small and Strong Cities for Regional Balanced Development" on March 23 this year.

This bill aims to designate regions outside the metropolitan area that are struggling with self-sufficiency due to population decline as "local small and strong cities," and requires public institutions relocating after January 1, 2022, to move to these areas.

The bill's name was changed from the original "Special Act on Support for Underdeveloped and Small Cities," but fierce competition among regions over additional relocation of public institutions makes it uncertain whether the bill will pass.

A staff member from Rep. Kim's office stated, "We will strive to broadly build consensus between the government and political circles on regional balanced development to ensure the bill's passage."

Rep. Han Byung-do (Iksan Eul) proposed the "Act on Hometown Love Donations," which includes provisions on the collection, receipt, and utilization of hometown love donations, on July 23 last year.

This bill passed the Administrative Safety Committee in September last year with bipartisan agreement but is currently stalled in the Legislation and Judiciary Committee due to opposition from the opposition party.

Many local governments are strongly requesting the bill's passage in the National Assembly, but fierce political power struggles between ruling and opposition parties are causing signs of prolonged delay.

Additionally, the "Apartment Complex Management Act Amendment" and the "Act on Support for Public Interest Allowances for Farmers and Fishermen," respectively proposed by Rep. Shin Young-dae (Gunsan) and Rep. Yoon Joon-byung (Jeongeup·Gochang), are pending in the relevant standing committees?the Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee and the Agriculture, Forestry, Livestock, Food, and Maritime Affairs Committee. These bills are also expected to face considerable obstacles before passing the plenary session.

Rep. Lee Yong-ho (Namwon·Imsil·Sunchang) proposed the "Act on the Establishment and Operation of the National Public Health Medical University" on June 5 last year, which aims to create a public medical school by utilizing the quota of the closed Seonam University College of Medicine, but its passage is uncertain.

The government's plan has effectively stalled due to opposition from the Medical Association, and competition for establishment in other regions such as Jeonnam is fierce.

There is already a growing concern that the precedent of the 20th National Assembly, where the bill was ultimately discarded due to party interests, might be repeated.

Rep. Ahn Ho-young (Wanju·Jinan·Muju·Jangsu) pledged to propose the "Special Act on National Illegal Waste Management and Support," which aims to address illegally dumped or abandoned waste through national funding support.

However, the "Special Act on the Installation, Operation, and Resident Support of Public Waste Resource Management Facilities," containing similar provisions, passed the Cabinet meeting on June 2.

In response, Rep. Ahn proposed the "Waste Management Act Amendment" on March 10, 2021, to allow national funding to cover all or part of the costs required for installing facilities that handle inappropriate waste.

Furthermore, Rep. Lee Won-taek (Gimje·Buan) proposed the "Special Act on Support for Local Extinction Crisis Areas" on July 23 last year.

This bill aims to designate areas facing local extinction crises due to population decline, prioritize support for installing, maintaining, and repairing social infrastructure in these areas, and enable the establishment and operation of youth job support centers. However, it is also pending in the Administrative Autonomy Committee.

Jeonju=Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Han-ho stonepeak@asiae.co.kr

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