Rep. Lee Hyung-seok Proposes 'Local Autonomy Act Amendment' to Establish Basis for Personnel Hearings

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] A bill containing the legal basis for local councils to conduct confirmation hearings for heads of local public corporations and local public enterprises appointed by local government heads has been proposed.

On the 4th, Representative Lee Hyung-seok (The Democratic Party of Korea, Gwangju Buk-gu Eul) announced that he had introduced the "Partial Amendment to the Local Autonomy Act" as the main proposer.

Under the current National Assembly Act, it is stipulated that confirmation hearings must be held for major national public office candidates nominated by appointing authorities.

In contrast, the current Local Autonomy Act does not provide grounds for conducting confirmation hearings for major local public office candidates such as presidents of local public corporations and enterprises appointed by local government heads.

Accordingly, some local governments currently conduct confirmation hearings for key positions through internal regulations, ordinances, or agreements with local councils, but there are limitations in legally checking the appointment authority granted to local government heads through such regulations, ordinances, or agreements.

The Partial Amendment to the Local Autonomy Act establishes a legal basis for local councils to verify the qualifications and capabilities of key appointees designated by local government heads, which is expected to lead to the appointment of verified and suitable personnel to major local government institutions and simultaneously provide an opportunity for local councils to more effectively check local administrative agencies.

Representative Lee said, "There have been many cases where personnel appointments for heads of local government-affiliated institutions were made unilaterally according to the authority granted to local government heads, resulting in continuous problems such as appointments lacking expertise, unsuitable personnel, and appointments based on favoritism," adding, "It is necessary to legally establish grounds for conducting confirmation hearings to verify expertise and morality."