Seocho-gu Expresses "Deep Regret" Over Seoul City's Lawsuit and Suspension Request Filed with Supreme Court on April 30 Regarding 'Partial Amendment to Seocho-gu Tax Ordinance'
[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Seocho-gu (Mayor Cho Eun-hee) issued a rebuttal statement on the afternoon of the 30th, expressing "deep regret" regarding Seoul City's filing of a nullity lawsuit with the Supreme Court and request for suspension of execution against the 'Partial Amendment Ordinance of Seocho-gu Local Tax Ordinance.'
The amendment ordinance by Seocho-gu was established within the scope of authority of the local government head as stipulated in the Local Tax Act, following lawful procedures and reasonable standards. The district has logically refuted the claims made by Seoul City that the ordinance was illegal, stating that those claims are factually incorrect.
Nevertheless, Seocho-gu expressed deep regret that Seoul City has consistently refused to acknowledge this and proceeded with filing the lawsuit and requesting suspension of execution at the Supreme Court.
In particular, Seoul City demanded reconsideration just one day after Seocho-gu reported the ordinance, even before the Ministry of the Interior and Safety issued an authoritative interpretation. Moreover, Seoul City has rejected and ignored Seocho-gu’s sincere efforts to resolve the matter amicably through dialogue, including multiple requests for meetings with the Acting Mayor of Seoul.
Seocho-gu stated that Seoul City’s unprecedented measures against a district and refusal of all dialogue and communication constitute an infringement and disregard of local autonomy by Seoul City, which should be leading local self-governance. This action, ignoring procedural legitimacy and rationality, is deeply regrettable.
Now, this issue must be judged by the courts, and Seocho-gu plans to actively respond with utmost effort to prove that Seoul City’s claims are incorrect.
Seocho-gu added that Seoul City should heed the recent remarks made by the Minister of the Interior and Safety at the National Assembly audit, stating that “a legal review was conducted on Seocho-gu’s property tax reduction but no conclusion was reached” and “local autonomy must be respected.” It also recalled the precedent during the Roh Moo-hyun administration in 2004 and 2005, when 15 to 20 districts in Seoul independently reduced property taxes, urging Seoul City to take a broader approach befitting a metropolitan government.
Furthermore, with the current government and ruling party also pursuing measures to reduce property taxes, Seocho-gu emphasized that Seoul City should abandon “pride-driven administration” and “political administration” and instead engage in genuine “citizen administration” that cares for citizens living difficult lives amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
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