Expansion of Gyeongnam Provincial Assembly Building... Strengthening the Role of Local Assemblies

Gyeongsangnam-do Provincial Council building./Photo by Joo Cheol-in lx906@

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Ju Cheol-in] As the role of local councils is strengthened, the Gyeongsangnam-do Council is promoting a building extension project.

According to the Gyeongnam Council on the 20th, the extension is to secure office space in preparation for an increase in staff due to the independence of personnel authority in local councils and the phased hiring of policy support professionals.

With the full revision of the Local Autonomy Act taking effect from January 13 next year, this is to resolve the shortage of space caused by increased personnel and expanded office organization. After next year, 29 policy support personnel will be introduced to the council.

The council explained that with the expansion of office organization, including the establishment of a personnel department and a building management department, it is necessary to expand and rearrange office space considering work efficiency. Currently, due to a lack of office space, some council members' research rooms operate on a two-person per room basis. The research room space is also at 23.25㎡, which is smaller than the national average of 28㎡ for city and provincial councils.

Considering these circumstances, the council plans to extend the building on the Gyeongnam-owned land behind the current building at a cost of 12.2 billion KRW. From January next year, design competitions and detailed design services will begin, construction will start around October next year, and the goal is to open in January 2024.

The new annex to be extended will have one basement floor, four above-ground floors, and a building area of 2,955㎡. The existing main building will have office space rearranged and facilities improved with an investment of about 800 million KRW.

Before the building extension, the council plans to rent temporary office space externally to faithfully handle tasks according to the revised Local Autonomy Act in preparation for increased personnel and organizational restructuring.