Kim Jeong-tae, Chair of Seoul Metropolitan Council Steering Committee, Elected President of National Association of Provincial Council Steering Committee Chairs

"17 City and Provincial Councils Pledge to Be a Bridge Connecting the People and Local Councils"

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Kim Jeong-tae, Chair of the Seoul Metropolitan Council’s Steering Committee (Democratic Party of Korea, Yeongdeungpo 2), was elected as the president at the 1st regular meeting of the National Council of Steering Committee Chairs of Provincial Councils (hereafter the Council), held in Daejeon on the 20th.

Newly appointed President Kim Jeong-tae, a three-term Seoul city council member, has been actively involved in the formation and operation of the inaugural Local Decentralization Task Force of the National Council of Chairpersons of Provincial Councils, working diligently to revise the Local Autonomy Act and fulfill the demands of local councils. This year, he also holds the responsibilities of Chair of the Seoul Metropolitan Council’s Steering Committee and Head of the Local Decentralization Task Force.

At this regular meeting, the first since the reorganization of the second half of the year, 17 steering committee chairs from provincial councils nationwide attended. Alongside newly elected President Kim Jeong-tae, the executive team was elected as follows: Senior Vice President Kim Yong-beom, Chair of Jeju Provincial Council’s Steering Committee; Vice Presidents Cho Seong-hye, Chair of Incheon Metropolitan Council’s Steering Committee; Lee Sang-wook, Chair of Chungbuk Provincial Council’s Steering Committee; Ahn Hee-young, Chair of Gyeongbuk Provincial Council’s Steering Committee; Secretary-General Jeon Gyeong-seon, Chair of Jeonnam Provincial Council’s Steering Committee; and Policy Chair Seo Hwi-ung, Chair of Ulsan Metropolitan Council’s Steering Committee, totaling seven executives.

Subsequently, in-depth discussions were held on the Council’s future operational directions, including the independence of personnel authority for local councils, the introduction of policy support specialists within the fixed number of metropolitan council members, strengthening accountability of local councils, and measures to enhance the status of local councils and decentralization of autonomy.

At the meeting, newly elected President Kim Jeong-tae expressed in his acceptance speech, “Based on my experience as the inaugural Head of the Local Decentralization T/F of the Chairpersons’ Council, where I learned the power of cooperation and solidarity, I will serve as a bridge connecting the 17 provincial councils and, furthermore, the sovereign people with local councils.”

He also stated, “Next year marks the 30th anniversary of the revival of local councils and local autonomy. Through the independence of council personnel authority, introduction of policy support specialists, and establishment of local council members’ support associations?long-standing aspirations over the past 30 years?I will make the 30th anniversary a foundational year for realizing local decentralization and establishing the status of local councils.”

To this end, President Kim emphasized, “The prompt passage of the comprehensive revision bill of the Local Autonomy Act, which has been submitted to the National Assembly by the government, must precede.” He also presented specific plans for active and systematic activities, including in-depth discussions with party leadership, the National Assembly, and central government, as well as continuous communication with the media and civic groups to build consensus.

Established 23 years ago this year, the Council is an organization that discusses matters related to the common interests of provincial councils and exchanges necessary information for council operations, aiming to resolve long-standing issues of local councils and promote the development of local autonomy.

Its members are the steering committee chairs of the 17 provincial councils, and it holds regular meetings once a month.