Temporary Session of Jeonnam Provincial Council Turned into a Mess Due to Verbal Dispute 'Frowns'

Provincial Assembly Members' 'Motion of No Confidence Against the Chairperson' Controversy, Live Streamed Online

Jeonnam Provincial Council Plenary Session. Photo by Jeonnam Provincial Council

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Jun-kyung] Jeonnam provincial council members caused a disruption in the council proceedings from the first day of the New Year's temporary session over the issue of submitting a 'motion of no confidence against the chairperson,' drawing frowns.

The Jeonnam Provincial Council held the 1st plenary session of the 349th temporary session, the first session of the year, on the 26th, intending to handle reports on provincial administration and educational administration, as well as a resolution urging the revision of the criteria for declaring special disaster areas.

However, after the opening, when the chairperson's group unilaterally submitted the motion of no confidence against Chairperson Kim Han-jong and pushed forward the voting procedure, some council members who proposed the motion strongly opposed it, citing procedural flaws such as “not distributing the agenda to members in advance.”

In particular, Councilor Lim Jong-gi raised his voice during a '5-minute speech,' stating, “There are procedural flaws such as not explaining the agenda to members beforehand.”

Councilor Lim said, “The no-confidence motion, which was not on the prior agenda, was suddenly submitted on the morning of the meeting day. Is such an ignorant behavior representative of Jeonnam’s council members?” he scolded.

In response, Deputy Chairperson Koo Bok-gyu, who conducted the meeting on behalf of Chairperson Kim Han-jong, repeatedly read the 'Jeonnam Provincial Council Meeting Rules' and argued that there was no procedural problem. However, as Councilor Lim and several other members continued to oppose, the plenary session was temporarily adjourned.

At that time, executives and senior officials from Jeonnam Province and Jeonnam Provincial Office of Education were present for the New Year's work report and greetings, witnessing the council members’ quarrel firsthand. This scene was also broadcast live to the residents through the Jeonnam Provincial Council’s YouTube live stream.

Ultimately, after consulting all members, it was decided to discuss the 'motion of no confidence against the chairperson' again at the plenary session on the 2nd of next month, putting out the immediate fire. However, attendees who witnessed the council members’ disgraceful behavior shook their heads, calling it “pitiful.”

Residents and public officials who observed the temporary session said, “Instead of comforting residents burdened by COVID-19, showing an attitude that seems to scold fellow council members at the first temporary session is seriously wrong regardless of the purity or intent of the inquiry,” and added, “Council members should seriously reflect on what really matters rather than focusing on the ‘motion of no confidence against the chairperson.’”