Gwangyang City Council's Administrative Questions, Intensely Addressing Major Issues

The 304th Extraordinary Session, Assembly Members Kim Seonghee, Baek Seongho, and Song Jaechun Raise Questions

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Heo Seon-sik] On the 28th, the Gwangyang City Council in Jeollanam-do held the 2nd plenary session of the 304th extraordinary meeting and conducted administrative questions targeting current municipal projects.

The first questioner, Councilor Kim Seong-hee, addressed the Yeosu-Suncheon Incident, stating that "the status of the Gwangyang Bereaved Families Association and city-level support projects for restoring the honor of victims and their families, as well as memorial services, should be reviewed to strengthen exchanges in cooperation with neighboring local governments."

She then urged the executive body to make efforts to resume normal operations of Bitgreen Maesil Co., Ltd., which is currently facing operational difficulties and has halted production.

Additionally, to create a barrier-free city, she requested that future public and private facilities under development incorporate barrier-free facility designs from the planning stage, and since multiple departments are involved, she asked the executive body to take an interest in creating a comfortable living environment for citizens.

Lastly, she called on the executive body to actively implement administrative measures such as raising awareness among residents and business operators to reduce food waste, and promoting support projects to suppress waste generation. She also requested that the status of projects promoting healthy community sports for citizens be submitted in writing.

The second questioner, Councilor Baek Seong-ho, stated, "Before my questions, I prepared administrative questions to improve the working conditions and treatment of workers currently working on-site in the district."

He emphasized the need to increase personnel and add vehicles at Gwangyang Environmental Corporation, as the cleaning area has expanded due to many urban development projects, and the removal of footboards on garbage collection vehicles will reduce work efficiency. He also mentioned the need to convert the CCTV Integrated Control Center to direct management, improve the working conditions of control personnel, and requested the city to consider support for improving the treatment of school meal workers.

Furthermore, he asked for thorough safety education during field training for students of specialized high schools, labor rights education for youth in elementary, middle, and high schools in the district, and administrative efforts to improve the working conditions of subcontracted workers related to POSCO industrial accidents.

Finally, he requested a written response regarding employment insurance premium support plans for local self-employed workers and artists, and urged consideration of environmental maintenance measures for vacant lots left unattended after urban development completion in the district.

The last questioner, Councilor Song Jae-cheon, emphasized the need for integrated and systematic management and support, including spreading citizen awareness and nurturing talent, as an alternative economic system for the development of the social economy.

He noted that among the Mangdeok Port attraction projects, the Baaldo Bridge installation has been completed, and regarding the planned nighttime lighting project next year, which will cost 2 billion KRW, it must be an effective project.

Since the Baaldo tourist complex currently attracts many visitors, he requested efforts to improve road accessibility and called for unification of management entities as infrastructure is being expanded.

He also added that many projects such as horseback riding experience centers and cruise ship operations are planned, but these should be promoted by private business operators rather than the government.

Lastly, he urged the prompt completion of the modernization project of the Gwangyang General Market and the swift advancement of the Taein pedestrian bridge project.

Gwangyang = Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Heo Seon-sik hss79@asiae.co.kr