Assemblyman Lee Hyung-seok Concludes 21st National Audit... Showcases Outstanding Policy Competence

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] Rep. Lee Hyung-seok (Democratic Party of Korea·Gwangju Buk-gu Eul) is receiving praise for fully demonstrating his policy capabilities accumulated in central politics, the Blue House, and local governments during the first National Assembly audit of the 21st National Assembly.

Rep. Lee focused this National Assembly audit on ▲promoting balanced regional development, decentralization, and practical resident autonomy ▲correcting unfair and improper execution of police authority ▲enhancing resident convenience ▲protecting firefighters' rights, among other issues.

In the audit targeting the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, Rep. Lee pointed out the reality that despite the promotion of fiscal decentralization, financial imbalances between regions have not been corrected.

In particular, he proposed policy alternatives such as raising the statutory local allocation tax rate, adjusting tax items between metropolitan and basic local governments, and increasing the national burden ratio for national subsidy projects.

He also demanded the government transfer national affairs with high local relevance to local governments to realize decentralization.

During the National Police Agency audit, he highlighted that among the 16 metropolitan cities and provinces, only Gwangju lacks a driver's license examination center, causing significant inconvenience to residents, eliciting a response from Commissioner Kim Chang-ryong of the National Police Agency that “we will actively promote this.”

At the Fire Agency audit, he pointed out that out of 30 firefighters recognized for work-related injuries, 23 are undergoing verification procedures through personal sponsorships or corporate support funds, and proposed establishing a system where the state takes responsibility for proving work-related injuries.

In the audit targeting Seoul City, he urged the introduction of a detention system to imprison notorious tax delinquents like Jeon Du-hwan, which caused a significant stir.

Especially during the Gwangju City audit, he pointed out the operational realities of the Gwangju 2nd Ring Road, which has become a “money pit,” and the problems in the rushed restructuring negotiations of the 1st section of the ring road project.

He also called for a full reinvestigation of the negotiation process and contents with the project operator to guarantee citizens' “right to know” and promote benefits such as future toll reductions, urging the recovery of operating rights through public disposition.

In response, Gwangju Mayor Lee Yong-seop stated that once the feasibility study requested from the Government Legal Corporation under the Ministry of Justice is completed, they will decide on the public disposition and thoroughly review the legal actions related to the restructuring negotiations.

On the 26th, during the comprehensive audit of the Administrative Safety Committee, he pointed out issues with the government's poor management of the “Chungmu Plan.”

He intensely questioned the National Police Agency for canceling the disciplinary actions against police officers who refused orders from the Jeon Du-hwan new military regime but paid unpaid wages based on 40-year-old standards, urging the payment of delayed damages.

Rep. Lee said, “The first National Assembly audit of the 21st session was a valuable time to examine and demand corrections in the work status of ministries and affiliated agencies under the jurisdiction of the Administrative Safety Committee, such as the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, National Police Agency, and Fire Agency, as well as to inspect and find improvements for various livelihood issues of local governments. After the audit, during the upcoming budget session, I will meticulously review to ensure that the national budget is used appropriately to overcome COVID-19 and do my best to secure budgets for regional development and residents.”