Kim In-ho, Chair of Seoul Metropolitan Council, Proposes 'Universal Disaster Relief Fund' Payment... Seoul Metropolitan Council Holds 303rd Regular Session

From November 1 to December 22, a 52-day schedule for administrative audit and budget review... Chairman Kim: "Even in the With-Corona phase, Seoul's top priority remains quarantine and livelihood recovery"... Realizing universal disaster relief payments for 10 million Seoul citizens, preparing additional measures for small business owners excluded from government loss compensation, prioritizing COVID-19 recovery budget

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] The Seoul Metropolitan Council (Chairman Kim In-ho) will hold the 303rd regular session from November 1 to December 22 for 52 days to conduct an administrative audit of the 2021 Seoul city administration and education administration, and handle the 2022 budget proposal and various current issues.

Chairman Kim In-ho (Democratic Party) mentioned in his opening remarks that although COVID-19 continues, the reality is that the recovery of daily life cannot be postponed indefinitely. He emphasized that it is time to create a clear guideline on what specific contents should be included under the new direction called 'With COVID-19.'

In particular, Chairman Kim said that the first step of recovery should start by relieving the burden on small business owners and self-employed individuals, proposing the payment of universal disaster relief funds. He judged that support funds should be paid to all citizens, with restrictions on usage and expiration dates, to quickly revive neighborhood markets. He also made the following suggestions to the Mayor of Seoul.

First, he emphasized that even under 'With COVID-19,' the top priority for Seoul must be quarantine and people's livelihood. Considering that Seoul implemented high-intensity business restrictions for a long period compared to other regions, more proactive measures are required than the government’s ongoing compensation for losses of small business owners and self-employed individuals. He mentioned the need for additional Seoul city measures for industries excluded from this government compensation. Although it is difficult to fully restore all damages caused by the pandemic, at least a recovery budget should be prepared for citizens who were targeted by policies and suffered damages. Without such encouragement and support, moving forward with 'With COVID-19' is impossible.

Second, he urged to maintain policy consistency so that Seoul citizens can trust the policies. If there are problematic areas in existing projects, it is important to correct them as soon as possible. The Seoul Metropolitan Council also hopes that the new policies pursued by Seoul will be differentiated from previous ones, but this should be done by distinguishing merits and demerits and improving them, not by completely denying the past.

Third, he said respect for the council is the foundation of proper city administration and mature local autonomy, and asked to keep the initial mindset of respecting the council and valuing communication and exchange. He mentioned that legislative and financial support from the Seoul Metropolitan Council is necessary for all matters Seoul will pursue in the future and called to fill the remaining term with coexistence and cooperation.

Along with this, he emphasized to the council members to thoroughly inspect Seoul city projects. Since various housing supply measures have been announced 10 times since Mayor Oh Se-hoon's inauguration, it is necessary to check whether the actual housing supply timing for each project is accurately predicted and managed, how the delayed public redevelopment will be promoted, and to inspect environmental policies such as Seoul’s plan to achieve the '2050 Carbon Neutrality' goal, countermeasures after the closure of the metropolitan landfill site, and aging of major infrastructure facilities.

Furthermore, he emphasized that the role of the Seoul Metropolitan Council, as the eldest brother among nationwide councils, is significant for the smooth settlement and better development of the revised Local Autonomy Act to be implemented from January next year. He said the first button of change, such as the independence of personnel authority of the council secretariat, which fundamentally reforms the council’s structure, must be properly fastened through fair and objective procedures.

Finally, Chairman Kim encouraged that the reason we could endure such an incredibly difficult time was all thanks to the 10 million citizens, and with outstanding law-abiding spirit, civic consciousness, and solidarity, let us create another miraculous recovery once again.

This regular session will start with an opening ceremony on November 1, followed by a city administration speech on the submission of the 2022 budget proposal on the same day, ▲ administrative audit for 14 days from November 2 to November 15 ▲ negotiation group representative speeches and city administration and education administration questions from November 16 to November 18 ▲ and deliberation on the Seoul city and Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education budget proposals and other agenda items by standing committees and the special budget and accounts committee from November 19 to December 15.

Afterwards, on December 16, the plenary session will vote on the 2022 Seoul city and Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education budget proposals, and on the last day, December 22, various agenda items referred to each standing committee will be thoroughly discussed and processed.

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Opening Remarks by the Chairman of the Seoul Metropolitan Council

Respected and beloved 10 million citizens,

Officials of Seoul City and Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education,

and fellow council members!

Thank you for attending the 303rd regular session of the 10th Seoul Metropolitan Council.

Time always moves ahead of our expectations,

and the past few years have passed even faster amid the whirlpool of crisis and transition.

The 10th council, inaugurated in 2018, is now beginning its final regular session of the second half.

Especially, the latter half of the 10th council has aimed from the start at COVID-19 recovery,

so it is regrettable that we are still on that path.

Despite many difficulties,

I express my gratitude and respect to all council members who have done their best in their respective positions.

Since the outbreak of COVID-19 until now,

to avoid missing the right timing for quarantine and support,

you have worked more actively and inclusively than ever,

providing legislative and financial backing.

Your swift decisions, filled with understanding and consideration,

will serve as a good example for the next council.

I ask you to maintain this unwavering attitude until the end.

From today, the Seoul Metropolitan Council will perform the most important duties of local councils for 52 days,

including administrative audits and budget deliberations and resolutions.

We will examine through administrative audits whether Seoul, which has undergone many changes this year,

has planned and operated city administration for the citizens.

We will newly set the direction for recovery and leap that Seoul should focus on,

and deliberate and approve the next year's budget to ensure that the budget is used without waste where it is truly needed.

Also, marking the 30th anniversary of the revival of local councils,

we will take time to reflect on our council itself.

As authority and status have been strengthened by laws and systems,

we will wisely reset the relationship with the executive branch

and prepare for a more mature local autonomy.

Above all, to help our society move to the next phase called 'With COVID-19,'

local governments will take the lead in supporting policy changes.

Respected 10 million citizens,

COVID-19, which has lasted nearly two years,

still shows no sign of weakening.

Some countries that proactively removed masks

experienced astronomical numbers of new confirmed cases,

reminding us that the end is still far away.

However, we cannot postpone the recovery of daily life indefinitely.

We must quickly accept the fact that complete eradication is difficult

and find ways to coexist and overcome.

It is time to create a clear guideline on what specific contents to include

under the new direction called 'With COVID-19.'

The 'With COVID-19' that the Seoul Metropolitan Council envisions

is not about pursuing lax quarantine.

We hope to reduce excessive fear and regulations borne by citizens

while maintaining healthy vigilance.

Citizens should not lower their guard and must strictly follow personal quarantine guidelines,

gradually opening up and bringing recovery.

The first step of that recovery is to relieve the burden on small business owners and self-employed individuals

who suffered enormous damage from COVID-19.

The most effective way to do this is the payment of universal disaster relief funds.

After enduring COVID-19 for a long time,

citizens’ pockets have become very light.

Filling those emptied pockets even a little

will bring peace of mind to citizens.

That peace of mind will lead citizens to the market

and breathe life into neighborhood markets through kind consumption.

If usage and expiration are restricted,

the effect will be maximized.

If paid through local currencies like Seoul Love Gift Certificates

and consumed within limited industries and stores in a short period,

it could instantly bring recovery.

The Seoul Metropolitan Council will coordinate with Seoul City

to realize the payment of universal disaster relief funds to 10 million Seoul citizens

as soon as possible.

Without discriminating each citizen’s situation and conditions,

we will open consumption channels universally for all

to revive both citizens and the local economy.

Mayor Oh Se-hoon,

About half a year has passed since your inauguration in April.

I knew the process of harmonizing would not be easy,

but it seems there have been more difficulties than expected.

However, the time ahead is longer than the time passed,

and many tasks remain, so I sincerely offer a few suggestions.

First, even under 'With COVID-19,'

Seoul’s top priority must be quarantine and people’s livelihood.

But looking at your recent actions,

I worry that urgent matters such as quarantine, support for small business owners, and care for vulnerable groups may be neglected.

The recently announced 'Seoul Vision 2030' contains

stories about housing, jobs, education, and culture and arts,

but nowhere does it mention COVID-19 response.

On the very day of that announcement,

Seoul’s confirmed cases hit a record high,

once again signaling Seoul’s lax quarantine attitude to the world.

City competitiveness rankings are important,

but more important than those numbers

is the daily satisfaction of each citizen.

We must listen to the real stories of citizens crying out amid threats to their livelihoods right now.

Policies for them must be the top priority.

Therefore, I propose that

Seoul should show more proactive measures than the government’s ongoing compensation for small business owners and self-employed individuals.

We must care for industries excluded from this compensation.

Seoul has implemented business restrictions for a longer period than other regions.

As the livelihood base of the largest number of self-employed people,

it is the area most affected.

The number of self-employed people who cannot receive help even from this support

is inevitably the largest.

Those in the blind spots of support will suffer greater deprivation.

Seoul must protect them.

We must consider additional measures for industries in the blind spots.

The 2022 Seoul city budget proposal is about 44 trillion won.

There is certainly a place for them in this huge budget.

It is impossible to fully restore the unexpected damages the pandemic caused to our society.

However, at least for the good citizens who were targeted by policies and had to endure damages,

a certain recovery budget must be prepared.

Without proper encouragement and support for them,

moving forward with 'With COVID-19' is impossible.

Second, please maintain policy consistency so that Seoul citizens can trust.

The mayor is a leader qualified to draw the blueprint of city administration.

Setting a new direction and implementing policies accordingly

is a unique authority given to the mayor.

It is a role and responsibility directly entrusted by 10 million citizens.

Therefore, if there are problematic areas in existing projects,

it is important to correct them as soon as possible to prevent further waste of citizens’ taxes.

Waste of public funds must be stopped.

However, this process must have a just purpose.

It must be a purely policy-driven approach for citizens,

not a political move based on personal calculations.

Above all, policies must be consistent.

Policy changes should be bold, but overall stability and continuity must be maintained.

It means not flipping all previous policies like turning over a palm.

Also, the idea that a single word from a new leader can overturn existing policies unconditionally

damages our collective efforts toward direct democracy where residents are the owners.

From the perspective of local autonomy that local governments truly desire,

such moves must be avoided.

The Seoul Metropolitan Council also hopes that the new policies you pursue

will truly be differentiated from previous ones.

But such differentiation should not be made by completely denying the past,

but by adding a small stone on the stone tower built in the past.

Every matter has merits and demerits.

If policies are treated lightly like flipping a palm,

merits will not be passed down,

and demerits will not have a chance to be reflected and corrected.

We cannot accumulate achievements or educate about mistakes.

I hope and pray that such mistakes will not be made.

Third, respect for the council is

the foundation of proper city administration and mature local autonomy.

I remember your attitude right after taking office.

You tried to actively communicate with the council,

and even when conflicts arose over organizational restructuring and personnel issues,

you worked together to find a consensus.

However, the accident during the recent interim session city administration questioning

and the three rounds of Seoul Housing Corporation president recruitment process

were almost like a comedy.

Autocratic behavior excluding the council

and disregard for council democracy itself

are parts that must be refrained from in the future.

Now we will spend an intense 52 days.

There will be administrative audits thoroughly examining this year’s city administration

and budget deliberations carefully scrutinizing next year’s budget.

Seoul City and the Seoul Metropolitan Council must put their heads together

to inspect today’s Seoul and create tomorrow’s Seoul.

All matters Seoul pursues require legislative and financial support,

and that work is done in the Seoul Metropolitan Council.

Let us not forget the respect for the council,

and keep the initial mindset that valued communication and exchange,

and fill the remaining term with coexistence and cooperation.

Respected senior and fellow council members,

I ask you to also thoroughly inspect Seoul city projects

with an unwavering and meticulous attitude during this regular session.

Housing policy is a representative example.

Since the mayor’s inauguration,

10 housing supply measures have been announced,

including very diverse projects.

Since the required periods and characteristics vary by project,

it is necessary to carefully examine each aspect.

We must check whether the actual housing supply timing is accurately predicted and managed,

how the delayed public redevelopment will be promoted,

and ask questions step by step.

Environmental policies must also be reviewed.

We must confirm Seoul’s concrete blueprint to participate in the national '2050 Carbon Neutrality' goal.

Since the nation has set challenging energy transition goals,

the local community must join forces to increase feasibility.

We must fundamentally inspect Seoul’s eco-friendly policies

and share future policy changes with citizens.

In particular, we must check whether education budgets are allocated

to ensure sufficient environmental education.

We must also promptly review and respond to issues directly related to the future environment,

such as countermeasures after the closure of the metropolitan landfill site and aging of major infrastructure facilities.

Let us also create changes in the council together.

The revised Local Autonomy Act to be implemented from January

must settle smoothly and develop into a better system,

and the role of the Seoul Metropolitan Council, as the eldest brother among nationwide councils, is significant.

To endure the huge current of transition

and ensure everyone crosses the river safely,

we, standing at the forefront, must lay a solid stepping stone.

Through efforts to fundamentally reform the council’s structure, such as the independence of personnel authority of the council secretariat,

we must create a more professional and efficient organization.

And this process must be trustworthy to everyone.

It must follow fair and objective procedures.

The council secretariat and council members must work together

to fasten the first button of transition well.

I, too, will devote my utmost efforts to this work until the end of the 10th council.

And to the 10 million citizens of Seoul!

The reason we could endure such an indescribably difficult time

is all thanks to you.

With outstanding law-abiding spirit, civic consciousness, and solidarity,

you have continued to write a legend that astonished the world.

And South Korea will create another miraculous recovery together with you.

Complete economic recovery, a new era of local autonomy,

and energy transition toward carbon neutrality will all be achieved.

Someone said

that when something fades in sunlight, it becomes history,

and when it is dyed in moonlight, it becomes a myth.

The moments of effort you create

will become a new myth of South Korea and Seoul,

and the Seoul Metropolitan Council will stay by your side like the autumn night moonlight.

On the dark path, every step you take

will be illuminated by the Seoul Metropolitan Council.

Thank you.

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