Complete Removal of 'Japanese-style Expressions' from Seoul City Autonomous Regulations

Councilor Kim Inje of Seoul City Revises Over 120 Terms Including Japanese-style Expressions Through Ordinance... Amendment to Seoul Metropolitan Autonomous Regulations Ordinance to Mandate Use of Korean Expressions in New Ordinance Drafting

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Kim In-je, a member of the Seoul Metropolitan Council (Democratic Party of Korea, Seoul Metropolitan Council Planning and Economy Committee), has proposed three “Korean Language Ordinances” that collectively revise Japanese-style expressions in Seoul Metropolitan ordinances and exclude Japanese-style expressions in new legislation.

According to Councilor Kim In-je, the Ministry of Government Legislation recommends annually revising difficult terms in laws and administrative rules through the “Making Easy-to-Understand Laws” project. Based on this, a full survey of 760 Seoul Metropolitan ordinances and 168 ordinances related to Seoul Metropolitan education and academic affairs found that 120 cases of Japanese-style terms were used in a total of 56 ordinances, indicating the need for revision.

Councilor Kim In-je pointed out, “Although ordinances for the collective revision of Japanese-style expressions are reviewed every year and terminology is revised from time to time, the standards for ‘Making Easy-to-Understand Laws’ are being advanced annually, and new ordinances using Japanese-style terms are still being introduced in the Seoul Metropolitan Council. This has created a structural problem where a considerable number of ordinances containing Japanese-style terms repeatedly appear every year.”

Accordingly, on the occasion of Hangul Day, Councilor Kim In-je proposed the “Seoul Metropolitan Ordinance for the Collective Revision of Japanese-style Expressions” and the “Seoul Metropolitan Ordinance on Education and Academic Affairs for the Collective Revision of Japanese-style Expressions” to collectively revise existing Seoul ordinances that use Japanese-style terms once again.

In addition, by additionally proposing the “Partial Amendment Ordinance on the Legislation of Seoul Metropolitan Autonomous Regulations,” which includes provisions to explicitly prohibit the use of Japanese-style expressions and other terms when drafting autonomous regulations, the exclusion of Japanese-style expressions in new ordinances was maximized.

Councilor Kim In-je stated, “Through this ‘Korean Language Ordinance,’ Japanese-style terms will be maximally excluded from Seoul ordinances, which is expected to provide an opportunity for Seoul citizens to better understand and comply with Seoul ordinances. I will continue to make efforts as a member of the Seoul Metropolitan Council to make Seoul ordinances more familiar and accessible to Seoul citizens.”

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