Gwangju Buk-gu Council Standing Committee Chairs Dominated by Democratic Party

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yukbong] The Buk-gu Council of Gwangju Metropolitan City has completed the formation of the 8th term's second half leadership.

However, concerns have been raised about whether proper oversight and checks and balances can be maintained, as the Democratic Party of Korea members have monopolized the chairmanships.

According to the Buk-gu Council of Gwangju on the 13th, the formation of the second half leadership was completed on the 9th with the election of the Chairpersons of the Budget and Accounts Special Committee, Ethics Special Committee, and Urban Balanced Development Special Committee.

In addition, Lim Jongguk serves as Chairperson of the Council Operations Committee, Choi Kiyoung as Chairperson of the Administration and Autonomy Committee and concurrently Chairperson of the Urban Balanced Development Special Committee, Yang Okgun as Chairperson of the Economic Welfare Committee, Kim Hyungsu as Chairperson of the Safety City Committee, Han Yangim as Chairperson of the Budget Special Committee, and Choi Yonghwan as Chairperson of the Ethics Special Committee, leading the council in the second half.

Previously, Councilor Pyo Beomsik was elected as Chairperson, and Councilor Kim Youngsoon as Vice Chairperson.

Currently, the Buk-gu Council consists of 14 members from the Democratic Party, 1 from the Minsheng Party, 1 from the Progressive Party, and 4 independents.

However, all standing committee chairpersons are from the Democratic Party, drawing criticism of majority party tyranny.

Since even the district head leading Buk-gu is from the Democratic Party, public opinion questions whether the council’s essential functions of oversight and checks and balances can be properly executed.

Moreover, Buk-gu recently showed an embarrassing image due to several councilors involved in misconduct. Many voices warn that if the second half leadership continues in this way, unsightly situations could arise at any time.

A resident, Park (45), said, “Buk-gu Council is known as a corruption department store with 9 out of 20 councilors involved in misconduct, yet there is no reflection at all. Local councilors should be vessels that carry the hearts of residents closest to them. I hope the council becomes resident-centered, not party-centered.”

This is a voice of concern arising from the grassroots democracy realized by local councils, where the majority’s power in forming the leadership does not consider the minority from the start.