Gwangju City Council Submits Proposal to Legislate Council Personnel Hearing System

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Seon-gang] The Gwangju Metropolitan Council announced on the 24th that it submitted a proposal to the regular meeting of the National Council of Chairpersons of City and Provincial Councils to legislate the personnel hearing system for local councils.

The submitted proposal aims to amend the 'Local Autonomy Act,' the 'Local Public Enterprises Act,' and the 'Local Investment and Contribution Act' to establish a legal basis for council personnel hearings regarding heads of public institutions appointed by local government heads.

Although various efforts have been made at the local council level, the comprehensive amendment bill of the 'Local Autonomy Act' currently under review by the 21st National Assembly does not include provisions on the local council personnel hearing system.

Currently, most city and provincial councils nationwide conduct personnel hearings based on agreements or guidelines with the executive branch, and there is an urgent need to establish a legal basis to ensure the operation and stability of the system.

Jeong Mu-chang, Chairperson of the Council Operations Committee, stated, “Legislating the local council personnel hearing system is an important task for local councils and has positive aspects in promoting checks and balances between local councils and local governments in the era of local decentralization.” He added, “The government should make more active efforts to ensure that future local council personnel hearings are conducted substantively and stably.”