On the 19th, the chairpersons of the councils of Changwon, Suwon, Goyang, and Yongin visited the Ministry of the Interior and Safety to demand the discovery of practical special city council authorities. [Image source=Changwon City Council]
[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Sang-hyun] Chairpersons of four metropolitan city councils nationwide, including Changwon, Suwon, Goyang, and Yongin, have criticized the special city councils as mere shells and demanded substantial authority through legislation.
The National Special City Council Chairpersons' Association, composed of the chairpersons of the four special city councils including Lee Chi-woo, Chairperson of Changwon City Council in Gyeongnam, visited the Ministry of the Interior and Safety on the 19th to urge the revision of laws related to the Local Autonomy Act to guarantee substantial authority for special city councils.
The chairpersons met with Vice Minister Ko Kyu-chang and Director Im Sang-gyu of the Local Autonomy Policy Division to discuss preparations and personnel management plans in anticipation of the launch of special city councils and the independence of personnel authority next year.
They also expressed regret over the formal amendment of the Local Autonomy Act Enforcement Decree and subsequent legislative amendments, which ignored the demand for metropolitan-level legislative needs and failed to define substantial and clear authority.
During the meeting, they submitted a petition demanding legislative amendments reflecting substantial authority.
The main proposals included guaranteeing administrative, financial, and autonomous rights of special cities, expanding the organization, ranks, and staffing of council secretariats appropriate to the size of special city councils, and expanding the functions of special city councils.
Additionally, Chairperson Lee requested maritime autonomy rights related to important marine tourism, port logistics, and fisheries due to Changwon's geographical conditions, to which Vice Minister Ko responded that he would work closely with the Maritime and Port Administration.
Chairperson Lee stated, "Special city councils should not be launched as empty shells without substance," and demanded, "Even if the launch timing needs to be adjusted, please organize the special status and related organizations so that they can serve as a minimum stepping stone between the government and citizens."
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