Assemblyman Kim Jeong-tae Elected Chairman of Seoul Metropolitan Council Operations Committee

[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] The Seoul Metropolitan Council held the 296th extraordinary session on the 14th and elected Councilor Kim Jeong-tae (Democratic Party of Korea, Yeongdeungpo 2) as the Chairperson of the 10th Council's second half Operations Committee.

The Chairperson of the Operations Committee is a significant position responsible for deciding the direction of council operations and supporting councilors' legislative activities. At the same time, the Chairperson leads the Operations Committee, which oversees the Mayor's Secretariat and the Deputy Mayor for Political Affairs' Office, playing a role in checking and monitoring overall Seoul city administration.

Since the inauguration of the Moon Jae-in administration, the era of local decentralization and autonomy has officially begun. Chairman Kim was appointed as the inaugural head of the Local Decentralization Task Force of the National Council of Local Assembly Chairs in October 2018 and has devoted himself to realizing local decentralization and establishing the status of local councils until June 30 of this year.

In his candidate manifesto, Chairman Kim pledged to take the lead in passing amendments to the Local Autonomy Act and related laws such as the Education Autonomy Act, Local Finance Act, Political Parties Act, and Political Funds Act.

Chairman Kim stated, “I sincerely thank my fellow councilors who have given active support and encouragement. As we stand at a crucial juncture for realizing local decentralization, the responsibility is heavy, but I will foster nationwide and bipartisan solidarity and cooperation.”

He also presented a concrete plan to separate the personnel authority of local council staff, who were previously under the jurisdiction of the heads of local governments, from the city. He proposed introducing a policy support professional system to enable proper autonomous legislative and audit activities, ultimately helping the council become a proud representative of the residents.

Regarding the unprecedented start of the mayoral authority acting system, Chairman Kim said, “I feel a heavy sense of responsibility during this grave time,” and added, “I will ensure that the council performs its role unwaveringly as a faithful watchdog and policy collaborator of Seoul city administration.”