[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kang Woo-kwon] Gyeongsangnam-do is the first metropolitan local government to abolish the use of the committee gavel.
The province announced on the 4th that it will abolish the mandatory use of gavels in various committees starting this month, and has requested participation from all departments, including provincial investment and contribution institutions as well as city and county offices.
Until now, the gavel has been used to "declare" important decisions such as the opening of meetings, agenda presentation, approval, rejection, and adjournment, but there have been criticisms that it significantly reduces meeting efficiency.
Above all, there is no legal basis for the use of the gavel, nor any legal binding force.
Since 1966, courts have not used gavels in order to move away from judicial authoritarianism, instead confirming rulings through the reading of orders.
In this context, the province's change holds significant meaning as it boldly innovates the previously authoritative and formal committee culture and aims to make more substantive and efficient decisions.
Park Il-woong, Director of the Provincial Planning and Coordination Office, stated, "Eliminating long-standing administrative practices is a small but very meaningful change. Taking this opportunity, we will improve unnecessary practices one by one across all areas of administration."
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