Jeon Nam-do Councilor Im Jong-gi, Recommendation of Gwangyang Bay Free Economic Zone Association Member Confirmed by Plenary Session Resolution

Recommendation of Committee Member ... Not the Chairperson

Im Jong-gi, a member of the Jeonnam Provincial Assembly, is delivering a 5-minute speech at the 1st plenary session of the 344th Jeonnam Provincial Assembly on the 10th.

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Hyung-kwon] Im Jong-gi, a member of the Jeonnam Provincial Council (Democratic Party, Suncheon 2), strongly demanded on the 10th during the 1st plenary session of the 344th Jeonnam Provincial Council that council members be recommended according to the Gwangyang Bay Area Free Economic Zone Association regulations.

In his speech that day, Councilor Im Jong-gi stated, “The Free Economic Zone Authority was established during the late President Roh Moo-hyun’s administration to attract foreign investment, based on the Special Act on Free Economic Zones in Incheon, Busan, and Gwangyang. Currently, among the 11 association members handling affairs within the Gwangyang Bay Area Free Economic Zone, three are provincial council members recommended by the Jeonnam Provincial Council.”

Meanwhile, he pointed out, “The term ‘provincial council members recommended by the council’ means those recommended through a plenary session resolution, not those recommended solely by the chairperson. It is unreasonable for a council member whose electoral district is not included in the Free Economic Zone to exercise authority.”

He also argued, “Since there is no legal authority explicitly granting the Jeonnam Provincial Council chairperson the power to recommend alone, such recommendations are invalid. Members of the Gwangyang Bay Area Free Economic Zone Association should be registered and recommended through a resolution in the plenary session from among council members whose electoral districts are located within the Free Economic Zone, such as Yeosu, Suncheon, and Gwangyang.”