[2024 Year-End Review] Gwangju City Council Realizes the Model of a Working Assembly

Nation's Most Awarded for 'Excellent Ordinance' Six Years in a Row
A Mature Council Balancing Oversight and Support
Proposing Alternatives for Subway Line 2 Construction Delays
"Legislative Activities Focused on Leading Future-Oriented Policies"

A view of Gwangju City Council.

Gwangju City Council (Chairperson Shin Sujeong) has achieved remarkable results this year, including winning the Outstanding Ordinance Award for the sixth consecutive year, the highest number nationwide, and has concluded its legislative activities for 2024.

According to Gwangju City Council on the 24th, it operated two regular sessions and six extraordinary sessions, totaling 125 days. During this period, the council proposed 98 ordinances and, through administrative audits of 91 institutions, identified 934 corrective and suggested measures. Notable legislative achievements also include 21 on-site visits, 23 city administration questions, 26 five-minute free speeches, 19 statement announcements, 3 personnel hearings, and 38 policy debates.

In particular, the council embodied the image of a "working council" by engaging directly with residents and field sites. Starting with the first extraordinary session in January, the council processed 327 agenda items, including 175 ordinance proposals and 152 budget and settlement bills. Of the 175 ordinance proposals, 98 (56%) were initiated by council members, demonstrating active legislative participation. As a result of these efforts, the council received the Grand Prize at the "Outstanding Local Council Practices Contest" hosted by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, as well as the "Outstanding Ordinance Award" for the sixth consecutive year, the most in the nation. The council was also recognized as the best in the country by sweeping the top individual awards at the "Outstanding Local Council Practices Contest" hosted by the Local Autonomy Society.

To seek solutions for local issues, the council actively conducted field-oriented legislative activities by directly inspecting 54 sites, including Starfield Suwon, to benchmark best practices from other cities and provinces.

The city council demanded 934 corrective and improvement measures from 91 institutions, including Gwangju City, the Office of Education, and affiliated organizations, through administrative audits. Through city administration questions, five-minute free speeches, and proposals, the council pointed out issues and suggested alternatives for major policies and current affairs, faithfully fulfilling its role as a representative of citizens. Issues requiring procedural review or public discussion, such as the management of the semi-public city bus system, violations of budget regulations by affiliated organizations, the maintenance of Gwangju English Broadcasting, and delays in the construction of Gwangju Subway Line 2, were addressed through deliberative processes.

Additionally, the council has taken the lead in resolving major issues by immediately issuing statements whenever necessary. These include urging the enactment of the Dalbit Railway Special Act, calling for the resignation of Kim Hyungseok, Director of the Independence Hall of Korea, demanding the public release of the May 18 Democratic Uprising Truth Investigation Committee’s comprehensive report, and holding picket protests to urge the inclusion of the May 18 spirit in the Constitution. The council has also actively responded to national issues, such as delivering a proposal to the Speaker of the National Assembly for the early enactment of the Local Council Act, issuing a statement urging the impeachment and punishment of Yoon Sukyeol, the main instigator of the December 3 Martial Law Rebellion, and displaying large banners related to these matters at the city council building.

The 9th Gwangju City Council has established five research groups, including the Gwangju City Administration Development Council Members’ Research Group and the Artificial Intelligence & Semiconductor Research Group, conducting 12 research activities this year to embody the image of a "learning council." The council also actively operated policy networks and 38 policy debates, with direct participation from external experts and citizens, to seek rational alternatives for major issues.

To facilitate real-time contact and communication with citizens, the council accepted citizen reports year-round and made efforts to expand communication through the council website’s free bulletin board and social media channels (Facebook, Instagram). Plenary sessions and policy debates were broadcast live via YouTube and the internet, and various channels were operated to expand citizen participation, such as supporting attendance at council meetings, council tours, mock council experiences, and legislative monitoring activities.

Chairperson Shin Sujeong stated, “Gwangju City Council has maintained its status as the nation’s top council this year by striving to be a council that learns, researches, debates, and works together with citizens. Next year, we will continue to faithfully fulfill our original role of oversight and cooperation with the executive branch, while further strengthening our policy capabilities to drive regional development and proactively present a vision for the future city through upgraded legislative activities.”

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