Kim In-ho, Chair of Seoul Metropolitan Council, Holds Meeting with Autonomous District Women Chairs to Discuss Local Autonomy Act

Local Autonomy Act Amendment Bill Expected to be Processed at National Assembly Judiciary Committee on 8th and Plenary Session on 9th... Jachigu Council Chair Expresses Regret over Deletion of Resident Autonomy Committee... Kim Inho Chair Says "Will Organize and Convey Position"

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Kim In-ho, Chairperson of the Seoul Metropolitan Council (Democratic Party, Dongdaemun 3), held a meeting with six female chairpersons of the 8th term second half of Seoul's autonomous district councils on the 9th to discuss the main contents of the full revision of the Local Autonomy Act, which is likely to pass the National Assembly plenary session, and the anticipated changes in local councils accordingly.

Chairperson Kim mentioned four key points of the Local Autonomy Act amendment, which passed the Public Administration and Security Committee's full meeting on the 3rd: ▲Diversification of institutional composition (Article 4) ▲Strengthening of autonomous legislative power (Article 28) ▲Introduction of policy support professional personnel (Article 41) ▲Independence of personnel authority of local councils (Article 103).

He added, "If the bill passes, it will be possible to create forms of local governments suited to local autonomy conditions, and since infringement on autonomous legislative power will become difficult, substantial changes in local autonomy and decentralization that we have long wished for are expected."

The chairpersons of the autonomous district councils expressed regret over the deletion of the provision for the introduction of residents' autonomy committees during the bill review subcommittee process due to differences between the ruling and opposition parties. They stated, "Given that residents' autonomy committees are currently operating under the Special Act on Local Decentralization, it is regrettable that this was not included in the formal revised bill, and it is expected that there will be considerable confusion among residents active in the committees."

In response, Chairperson Kim said, "Since the positions of each city and provincial council and city, county, and district councils differ slightly, I believe there are various regrets regarding the bill that passed the National Assembly Public Administration and Security Committee's full meeting this time," and added, "Taking into account the suggestions, I will once again convey the overall position of local councils to the National Assembly."

Six chairpersons attended this meeting: Park Sam-rye, Chairperson of Gwangjin District Council; Hwang Ju-young, Chairperson of Gangdong District Council; Choi Yoon-nam, Chairperson of Nowon District Council; Park Kyung-hee, Chairperson of Seodaemun District Council; Kim An-sook, Chairperson of Seocho District Council; and Eun Seung-hee, Chairperson of Jungnang District Council.