Gwangju Gwangsan-gu Councilors of the Progressive Party Propose 'Formation of Floor Negotiation Group Ordinance'

Guk Gang-hyeon, Kim Myeong-suk, and Kim Eun-jeong Members of Parliament "Promote Rational Operation and Innovation in the Assembly"

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] Progressive Party councilors of Gwangsan District Council in Gwangju Metropolitan City are promoting the ‘Ordinance on the Formation of Floor Negotiation Groups’ as the first ordinance for the rational operation and innovation of the 9th council.

Gwangsan District councilors Guk Ganghyun, Kim Myeongsuk, and Kim Eunjeong held a press conference on the 20th and announced the proposal of the ordinance.

The ordinance on the formation of floor negotiation groups is implemented in 35 cities and districts nationwide, and in the Nam District Council of Gwangju, an ordinance to form floor negotiation groups with three or more members has been in effect since 2016.

The councilors cited the background for proposing the ordinance as the controversy that arose from the ‘chairperson selection’ during the initial organization of the 9th Gwangsan District Council.

Gwangsan District councilors affiliated with the Democratic Party held a council meeting for three days to select a chairperson candidate, but the differences were not resolved. Subsequently, the Democratic Party Gwangju City Party intervened and proposed selecting the candidate by drawing lots.

The city party placed papers labeled 1, representing Gwangsan District Gap, and 2, representing Gwangsan District Eul, into a box and conducted the drawing, resulting in number 2 being drawn consecutively, leading to the election of councilor Kim Taewan, whose constituency is Gwangsan District Eul.

The Progressive Party councilors intend to achieve rational operation and innovation of local councils through this ordinance.

They stated, “Whether the ordinance on the formation of floor negotiation groups in the Gwangsan District Council passes will be a gauge to judge whether the Democratic Party has the will to promote cooperation, communication, and parliamentary democracy promised to the people.”

They added, “We will make further efforts to increase the transparency of the council,” emphasizing, “We will strive to realize residents’ participation opportunities and their right to know by preparing facilities to guarantee residents’ attendance at various meetings and by live-streaming plenary and standing committee meetings on the internet.”