"Read the Materials"... Controversy Over Population, Youth and Immigration Bureau Official's Remarks at Budget Committee

Jin Nam Kim Criticizes "Disregard for the Council in Questioning Methods... High-Handed Attitude"

During the budget review process at the Jeonnam Provincial Council, inappropriate remarks made by a senior official from the Jeonnam Provincial Population, Youth and Immigration Bureau became a point of controversy.

Jin Nam Kim, Vice Chair of the Special Committee on Budget and Accounts at the Jeonnam Provincial Council, strongly raised the issue during the review of the main budget at the 395th session of the Special Committee on Budget and Accounts on December 3, stating, "Evaluating or instructing the way council members ask questions is an act of disregarding the council."

Jin Nam Kim, Former Jeonnam Provincial Assembly Member

During the questioning, Assemblyman Kim refuted Population, Youth and Immigration Bureau Director Yeonhwa Yoon’s comment, "Ask questions based on the materials; that is more efficient," by stating, "The purpose of questioning in the Special Committee on Budget and Accounts is not to read documents, but to verify the administration’s policy intentions, judgments, and responsibilities."

He asserted, "The method of questioning is a legitimate right of council members." He further pointed out, "Telling a council member, who is asking questions on behalf of the residents, to focus only on materials can only be seen as an attempt to instruct or evaluate the questioning."

He continued, "I must ask whether you would respond the same way even if an ordinary resident were asking the question. Such high-handed and inappropriate behavior is unacceptable. The moment the administration publicly criticizes the questioning method, it undermines the council member’s right to question and unnecessarily heightens tension in the meeting. This conduct is also unbecoming of the Special Committee on Budget and Accounts."

Assemblyman Kim demanded of Acting Director Jin Ho Yoon, "At least for today, respect the council members’ questioning methods and respond sincerely." He also requested the chairperson to "provide clear guidance to prevent a recurrence."

He emphasized, "If the administration tries to restrict questions even in the Special Committee on Budget and Accounts, where we scrutinize how residents’ taxes are spent, the very reason for the council’s existence is shaken. Respect for the council and sincere answers are the foundation of responsible administration."

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