Seoul Metropolitan Council Democratic Party of Korea Approves Seoul City Organizational Restructuring Plan

Strong concerns expressed over potential violations of the Local Education Autonomy Act regarding the establishment of the Education Platform Promotion Team... Proposal to rename the Labor and Livelihood Policy Officer to the Fair and Cooperative Labor Policy Officer raises concerns about possible devaluation of labor values... Concerns about rule matters not included in the ordinance and the need for further discussion suggested.

Joo Sang-ho, Floor Leader

[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] The Seoul Metropolitan Council's Democratic Party of Korea (Representative Assemblymen Jo Sang-ho, Seodaemun 4) held a general assembly meeting at 11 a.m. on the 15th and resolved to approve the organizational restructuring plan.

Based on this, the partial amendment to the Seoul Metropolitan Government Administrative Organization Establishment Ordinance was submitted to the plenary session and passed, thereby approving the organizational restructuring plan.

So far, the Democratic Party of Korea in the Seoul Metropolitan Council and the Seoul Metropolitan Government have narrowed their opinions through several discussions regarding the Seoul city organizational restructuring plan submitted to the council on May 17, and after consultation, the restructuring plan was able to pass. However, concerns were raised about matters to be determined by future regulations, which are not included in this ordinance.

In particular, the proposal to establish the Education Platform Promotion Team was the most controversial.

Various issues were raised, including potential violations of the Local Education Autonomy Act, infringement on the independence of educational administration, concerns about overlapping projects with autonomous districts, insufficient effectiveness in resolving academic achievement gaps, and unsuitability for normalizing public education.

However, the Seoul Metropolitan Government indicated the establishment of the Education Platform Promotion Team and stated that there will be thorough reviews of future project operations and rigorous budget examinations.

Concerns were also raised about changing the title of the Labor and Livelihood Policy Officer to the Fair Coexistence Labor Policy Officer. Although it is an organization primarily responsible for 'labor policy,' the ambiguous title does not clearly reveal the nature of the work, causing confusion and neglecting labor values.

Democratic Party Representative Assemblyman Jo Sang-ho said, “Many assembly members are concerned about matters not stipulated in the ordinance but determined by regulations,” and added, “We expect the Seoul Metropolitan Government to actively review these opinions and to have sufficient communication and in-depth discussions with the council when revising regulations in the future.”