Jeonnam Provincial Council, Chairman No-Confidence Motion 'Voluntarily Withdrawn' to Resolve Tensions

Jeonnam Provincial Council Plenary Session. Photo by Jeonnam Provincial Council

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Jun-kyung] The motion of no confidence against the chairman of the Jeonnam Provincial Council has been voluntarily withdrawn by the council members who proposed it, entering a phase of resolution.

On the 26th, at the 1st plenary session of the 349th extraordinary meeting of the Jeonnam Provincial Council, council members including Lim Jong-gi (Democratic Party of Korea, Suncheon 2), who had proposed the motion of no confidence against the chairman, gathered in the Democratic Party's floor leader's office in the afternoon and decided to voluntarily withdraw the 'motion of no confidence against the chairman.'

The members who decided to withdraw expressed this intention to Lee Jang-seok, the Democratic Party floor leader, who then conveyed it to the chairman and the council.

The 'motion of no confidence against the chairman' was proposed on the 18th of last month by 14 council members, including 13 Democratic Party members led by Lim Jong-gi and Kim Bok-sil, a proportional representative from the Minsheng Party.

These members cited reasons for no confidence such as the unfair selection of committee members for the Gwangyang Bay Free Economic Zone Association, the relocation of the private airport, and restrictions on five-minute free speeches related to the treatment of the Democratic Party floor leader.

Lee Jang-seok, the Democratic Party floor leader of the Jeonnam Provincial Council, stated, "All 14 members, including Councilman Lim who proposed the motion of no confidence against the chairman, have decided to withdraw the motion unconditionally and have delegated all related authority."

Accordingly, the issue of the motion of no confidence against the chairman, which had been controversial inside and outside the council, has been settled for the time being.

However, the behavior of council members exchanging harsh words and verbal abuse over the motion of no confidence will likely be difficult for the residents to overlook.

In particular, on the first day of the New Year's extraordinary session, council members were seen shouting at each other in the presence of executives from Jeonnam Province and the Jeonnam Provincial Office of Education, and this was broadcast live on YouTube, causing public embarrassment.

Chairman Kim Han-jong said, "I am grateful to the members who voluntarily withdrew the motion. I reflect on the lack of communication that led to the conflict and will strive to improve communication going forward." He added, "Above all, I apologize for causing concern to the residents and will do my best to carry out legislative activities for the benefit of the residents."