Meaning of Urging Education Superintendents to Comply with Regulations Violating Parliamentary Rules

Seoul Metropolitan Council Chair Issues Explanation Regarding ‘Pre-Censorship Controversy’ Report, Stating "Only Urged the Superintendent to Comply with Regulations, Not to Violate Council Rules"

Lee Seung-bok, People Power Party Spokesperson of Seoul Metropolitan Council, Released a Statement on the 15th, Insisting "Claims of ‘Pre-Censorship’ Against the Chair Are Fabrications"

The Seoul Metropolitan Council (Chair Kim Hyun-gi) clarified that there was no ‘pre-censorship’ in response to a media report on June 14th, page 13, which described the council chair as involved in a ‘pre-censorship controversy.’

Lee Seung-bok, spokesperson for the People Power Party in the Seoul Metropolitan Council, explained in a press release on the 15th that the Democratic Party Seoul branch claims “the chair’s pre-censorship and attempts to modify content are neither duties of the chair under the Local Autonomy Act nor permissible as they infringe on freedom of the press.” He noted that this claim appears to have led the media to title the article ‘Pre-Censorship Controversy.’

Spokesperson Lee countered that the content of Superintendent Cho Hee-yeon’s policy speech on June 12th, submitted along with the supplementary budget proposal to the Seoul Metropolitan Council, had already been reported in the media before the superintendent’s speech because the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education distributed the materials in advance. He sarcastically remarked that the chair and council members learned of the superintendent’s intended remarks thanks to the education office’s publicity zeal, questioning whether this constitutes pre-censorship.

Chair Kim Hyun-gi, having become aware of the speech content through media reports, requested Superintendent Cho to revise the content as the chair. He asserted that this was a legitimate exercise of authority by the chair.

The media reported that “Seoul Metropolitan Council Meeting Rule Article 65 (in cases where a budget proposal is submitted, the mayor and superintendent are only to provide explanations after which...) only requires listening to explanations and does not prohibit inclusion of specific content.” The Democratic Party Seoul branch also argues that this is beyond the chair’s authority.

While there is no rule in Article 65 explicitly forbidding mention of specific content, it clearly states that explanations should be given ‘after hearing about the budget proposal.’

Furthermore, it was argued that Seoul Metropolitan Council Meeting Rule Article 34 explicitly prohibits remarks unrelated to the agenda. Although Article 34 regulates council members, considering Seoul Metropolitan Council Basic Ordinance Article 52?which requires the mayor and superintendent to obtain the chair’s permission before speaking in the council?Article 34 should be interpreted as applying not only to members but also to the mayor and superintendent, who must similarly obtain permission before speaking.

For reference, the National Assembly Act Article 102, which the Seoul Metropolitan Council adopts in its operations, stipulates that “no remarks unrelated to the agenda or of a nature different from the permitted subject shall be made,” imposing the same obligation on speakers other than members.

Accordingly, the speaking opportunity granted to Superintendent Cho on the 12th under agenda item 8 was for a policy speech related to the supplementary budget proposal. The superintendent was to explain the supplementary budget. However, much of the superintendent’s intended remarks were unrelated to the supplementary budget and instead unilaterally presented the education office’s stance on contentious issues between the council and the education office, which was criticized.

The council stated, "The chair has the authority and duty to operate the council in accordance with ordinances and rules. Knowing that the superintendent intended to focus on topics unrelated to the permitted subject, it would not be appropriate for the chair to passively allow this." It added, "Requesting the superintendent to speak primarily about the supplementary budget as originally permitted is not an abuse of authority by the chair. We believe citizens will judge this. Is it an overreach to demand compliance with regulations from a superintendent who refuses to follow legal provisions? Or is it a legitimate exercise of authority?"

Superintendent Cho said at the council plenary session on the 13th, “Including such content in the speech is customary,” comparing it to “President Yoon Suk-yeol’s budget speech at the National Assembly, where Speaker Kim Jin-pyo did not give him a chance to speak.” He questioned whether it is customary to make lengthy remarks unrelated to the agenda. He claimed that no council in Korea or any other country operates in such a manner.

Superintendent Cho also mentioned President Yoon. He asked to review the full text of the president’s national policy speech delivered in October last year upon submission of the budget proposal. At that time, the opposition party did not attend the plenary session due to significant conflicts between the Ministry of Justice and the opposition regarding law enforcement. However, that national policy speech did not mention contentious issues between the government and the opposition.

In contrast, Superintendent Cho’s budget speech intends to unilaterally present the education office’s position on key contentious issues currently under legal dispute between the council and the education office. He urged not to forcibly equate dissimilar matters or involve the president and the National Assembly speaker inappropriately.

Superintendent Cho analogized that he wants to talk about mathematics during Korean language class. When asked why mathematics during Korean class, he insisted it is customary to discuss calculus in Korean class and even claimed that this is done in higher education as well.

The Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education teaches children to follow established rules and to verify facts accurately when making comparisons or citations. The statement concluded by urging the education office and superintendent to be confident and accountable in educating students.

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