[Asia Economy (Osan) = Reporter Lee Young-gyu] Local government heads in Gyeonggi Province will hold a press conference urging the suspension of the 'Special City' designation.
On the 29th, seven mayors and county heads in the province, including Osan Mayor Kwak Sang-wook, announced that they will hold a press conference on the 5th of next month in the large conference room of Osan City Hall to urge the suspension of discussions on Special Cities, which are accelerating local extinction.
The government previously prepared a full revision bill of the Local Autonomy Act in July and submitted it to the National Assembly.
The main amendments designate metropolitan cities with a population of 500,000 or more as Special Cities, and in the case of Special Cities, allow for the appointment of two additional deputy heads. It also includes provisions for the independence of personnel authority of city councils and securing professional policy support personnel for local councils.
This bill was referred to the National Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee, was placed on the agenda on the 10th of this month, and underwent a subcommittee review on the 16th.
The National Assembly has also introduced a partial amendment bill to the Local Autonomy Act, led by Representative Lim Jong-seong.
The Public Administration and Security Committee is conducting a joint review of the government proposal and the bill led by Representative Lim.
Meanwhile, if metropolitan cities with populations over 500,000 are designated as Special Cities according to the government's amendment, there are concerns that in Gyeonggi Province, 10 out of the total 31 cities and counties?including Suwon, Yongin, Seongnam, Hwaseong, Ansan, and Bucheon?will be designated as Special Cities, potentially shaking the foundation of metropolitan local governments.
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