Gwangju City Council Member Chae Eun-ji's Proposed 'Personnel Hearing Ordinance' Passed in Plenary Session

The Nation's First Personnel Verification System in Metropolitan Cities and Provinces

The 'Gwangju Metropolitan Council Personnel Hearing Ordinance,' spearheaded by Gwangju Metropolitan Council member Chae Eun-ji, was passed at the 318th extraordinary session plenary meeting. This is the first of its kind among metropolitan cities and provinces nationwide.

Previously, personnel hearings for heads of public institutions under Gwangju City were conducted based on agreements with the city, but this ordinance formalizes the process. Attention is focused on whether it can overcome criticisms of being an 'ineffective and superficial verification' hearing.

Chae Eun-ji, Gwangju Metropolitan City Council Member.

Following the revision of the 'Local Autonomy Act' in March, which established the legal basis for personnel hearings conducted by local councils, the Gwangju Metropolitan Council plans to expand the personnel hearing period and secure sufficient verification time through this ordinance, moving away from criticisms that such hearings are merely formalities.

Council member Chae stated, "Due to the public institution structural reforms promoted by the city, the number of institutions subject to personnel hearings has increased through integration and function enhancement, and the importance and necessity of verifying the appointment of institution heads have been strongly raised. It is very important to verify candidates' expertise, morality, fairness, as well as their management ability and competence."

Currently, the Gwangju Metropolitan Council has been conducting personnel hearings in a limited manner based on an agreement signed with Gwangju City in February 2015 during the 6th elected term.

However, since these hearings were conducted based on a non-binding agreement, proper verification of expertise and policies was not adequately performed, leading to repeated criticisms during hearings that they were mere 'formalities' or 'rubber-stamping' procedures. The short preparation period was also a significant issue.

In particular, after a personnel hearing request is received, a progress report must be adopted and submitted to the city within 10 days. Considering the time required for forming special committees, requesting materials, drafting reports, and excluding weekends, the actual preparation period was less than five days. If the progress report is not submitted within the deadline, the city may proceed with the appointment as is.

Key provisions specified in the ordinance require the Gwangju Mayor to request personnel hearings from the Gwangju Metropolitan Council for candidates for positions such as presidents and chairpersons of public corporations and foundations, and heads of investment and contribution institutions as defined by the ordinance. The council is mandated to hold personnel hearings to verify expertise, morality, fairness, and other factors related to job performance.

Council member Chae emphasized, "Since appointments of heads of local government public institutions have been limited to the authority of local government heads, it was difficult to avoid controversies over patronage appointments, close associates, and parachute appointments unrelated to ability and role. Now that the Local Autonomy Act has been revised to legalize local council personnel hearings, the council will thoroughly verify candidates recommended by Gwangju City."

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