Gyeongnam Provincial Assembly Launches Comprehensive Support for Lawmakers' Policy Activities

Division of Roles Between the Expert Committee Office and the Policy Officer as Policy Support Officers

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Song Jong-gu] The Gyeongnam Provincial Council has launched a two-track system operating policy officers in the Legislative Affairs Office to support multifaceted policy activities.

Kim Jin-bu, Chairman of the Gyeongnam Provincial Council, stated, “The policy support officers in the Expert Committee Office provide support activities such as reviewing and supplying materials for ordinance proposals, provincial government questions, administrative audits, budget reviews, and resolving local constituency issues as stipulated by the Local Autonomy Act and ordinances. In this case, they mainly focus on close support responding to members’ requests centered on Gyeongnam provincial administration or local issues. To complement this, we have established a system operating policy officers who act as a think tank by frequently monitoring central government policy trends with a broader perspective and promptly providing timely policy information and ideas for localization plans.”

Gyeongnam Provincial Council.

Chairman Kim emphasized, “Along with faithful checks and supervision of the executive branch, this policy officer system, which is the first attempt by city and provincial councils, actively proposes constructive alternatives based on domestic and international policy trends provided by the policy officers, enabling multifaceted policy support and legislative activities to fulfill the role of a ‘council truly for the residents only.’”

The policy information provided by the policy officers is showing results by leading to members’ policy activities. For example, linked with the prompt provision of government policy information on increasing medical school quotas, a 5-minute free speech was made (Assemblyman Park Nam-yong, January session), and a proposal to the government (March session) is also being prepared.

Additionally, utilizing policy information that the installation of electric vehicle charging facilities in underground parking lots is increasing due to amendments in related laws, a 5-minute free speech raising concerns about large-scale disasters in case of electric vehicle fires and urging countermeasure preparations was made (Assemblyman Lee Yong-sik, March session), and related ordinance amendments are being prepared, demonstrating timely policy and legislative activities.

Policy Officer Son Sang-rak said, “By grasping central government policy trends, compactly organizing them, and promptly providing policy information suggesting localization plans to members, and seeing members effectively use that information for legislative activities, 5-minute free speeches, and proposals to the government, I feel a sense of value, pride, and satisfaction in performing my duties. Going forward, I will fully utilize my sensitivity and capabilities in capturing policy trends to support members’ policy activities, acting like a think tank.”

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