Kim In-ho, Chair of Seoul Metropolitan Council, and Seo Young-kyo, Chair of the Public Administration Committee, Welcome the Proposal of the 'Local Council Act (Bill)'

Kim In-ho, Chairman of the Seoul Metropolitan Council, "Enactment of the Local Council Act is a response to the spirit of the times called local decentralization"... Since 2017, Seoul Metropolitan Council has been promoting the enactment of the 'Local Council Act' to realize true local decentralization and enhance the status of local councils

[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] The Seoul Metropolitan Council (Chairman Kim In-ho) expressed its welcome for Seo Young-kyo, Chairperson of the National Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee, for proposing the 'Local Council Act (bill)' aimed at establishing the status of local councils and strengthening their independence.

The Local Council Act was first pursued as a bill by the Seoul Metropolitan Council in 2017. It was initially proposed in the 20th National Assembly (led by former National Assembly member Jeon Hyun-hee) to realize true local decentralization and enhance the status of local councils, but was discarded due to the expiration of the term and was reintroduced in the 21st National Assembly.

Kim In-ho, Chairman of the Seoul Metropolitan Council, said, “The enactment of the Local Council Act is a response to the spirit of the times called local decentralization. Just as the 21st National Assembly completely revised the Local Autonomy Act, if the Local Council Act is also enacted, it will answer the call of the era and be remembered as a true form of the National Assembly that the people desire. I would like to express my deep gratitude as a member of the local council to Representative Lee Hae-sik, who first proposed the Local Council Act, and Chairperson Seo Young-kyo, who proposed it this time.”

The Local Council Act (bill) first proposed by National Assembly member Lee Hae-sik is a law regulating the organization and operation of local councils. Its main contents include ‘the local council’s authority to enact ordinances and independent personnel authority,’ ‘independence of local council expenses (budget authority),’ ‘basis for forming negotiation groups,’ and ‘implementation of personnel hearings.’

The Local Council Act (bill) proposed by Chairperson Seo Young-kyo of the Public Administration and Security Committee this time includes all previously proposed contents and adds provisions to prevent conflicts of interest arising from members’ private interests, emphasizing that autonomy and independence of local councils must be supported by securing trust.

The Local Council Act (bill) contains most of the contents of the ‘7 Major Local Decentralization Tasks’ continuously promoted by the Seoul Metropolitan Council. Among them, ‘introduction of policy support professionals’ and ‘independence of local council personnel authority’ have been realized following the complete revision of the Local Autonomy Act. Although ‘strengthening of autonomous organizational authority’ was not included, the remaining tasks?‘strengthening of autonomous legislative authority,’ ‘autonomy in local council budget formulation,’ ‘introduction of personnel hearings,’ and ‘establishment of negotiation group operation and support systems’?are included in the bill, confirming that the urgent demands of the Seoul Metropolitan Council have been reflected.

Chairman Kim In-ho said, “On the 30th anniversary of the revival of local autonomy, I earnestly hope that the Local Council Act can be enacted. All local councils, led by the Seoul Metropolitan Council, will unite and make every effort possible to enact the Local Council Act. Since legislation for the people is the role of the National Assembly, we will work together to ensure that the bills proposed by Chairperson Seo Young-kyo and Representative Lee Hae-sik lead to enactment,” expressing his gratitude once again.

Additionally, Kim Jung-tae, Chairperson of the Seoul Metropolitan Council’s Local Decentralization Task Force, said, “This year marks the 12th anniversary of the passing of President Kim Dae-jung, who devoted his life to local autonomy and democratization, and the 30th anniversary of the revival of local autonomy. The enactment of the Local Council Act, which will serve as the foundation for the pivotal role of local councils as the cradle of grassroots democracy, is essential. We will remember President Kim Dae-jung’s spirit that ‘democracy begins with local autonomy’ and work together for the enactment of the law,” welcoming the proposal of the ‘Local Council Act (bill).’

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