Will Seoul Jung-gu Council Ever Return to Normal?

At Jung-gu Council's temporary session, 4 People Power Party members absent, quorum insufficient; only supplementary budget review conducted, no resolution or committee chair election; thus, chairperson unilaterally submitted supplementary budget to plenary, resulting in approval; 273rd regular session closed... 1st supplementary budget of 19.5 billion won approved.

[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] The Jung-gu Council of Seoul (Chairman Gil Gi-young) opened the 273rd regular session on September 16, handling major district administration reports, district administration questions, the 1st supplementary budget proposal, and various agenda items over 15 days, and closed on the 30th.

From September 19 to 23, major district administration reports by standing committees and the first review of the supplementary budget were conducted. On the 26th, during the 2nd plenary session, district administration questions were raised, followed by the 3rd plenary session the next day where District Mayor Kim Gil-seong responded.

During the district administration questions on the 26th, questions on 15 items covering overall district administration were raised in order by Councilors Yoon Pan-o, Song Jae-cheon, Lee Jeong-mi, and Jo Mi-jeong.

Councilor Yoon Pan-o asked for responses regarding ▲ future plans for major projects promoted during the previous district mayor’s term such as Seoul Makers Park, Our Neighborhood Management Office, and elementary school after-school care ▲ formal appointment requests for dispatched staff of the Council Secretariat following the independence of the council’s personnel authority.

Councilor Song Jae-cheon inquired about ▲ future measures for Seoul Makers Park and the administrative complex building ▲ efficient support for community sports club members ▲ measures related to the retransfer of entrusted tasks of the Jung-gu Facilities Management Corporation ▲ and urged thorough budget preparation.

Councilor Lee Jeong-mi asked about ▲ the direction and plans for the Our Neighborhood Management Office project ▲ plans for expanding the Nutrition Plus project ▲ whether there is a plan to change the administrative district name of Sindang 5-dong ▲ operation of district-run daycare centers ▲ and personnel measures for prompt organizational stabilization.

Councilor Jo Mi-jeong raised questions on ▲ measures for low birthrate issues ▲ review of transferring care projects to the Office of Education ▲ thorough management plans for elderly living alone ▲ and ways to overcome the local economy affected by COVID-19.

On the 28th and 29th, the Budget and Accounts Special Committee reviewed the 1st supplementary budget proposal.

Meanwhile, the 1st supplementary budget proposal submitted at a scale of 23 billion KRW was amended and approved at 19.569 billion KRW during the 4th plenary session held on the 30th.

The general account was cut by 2.994 billion KRW, the special account by 480 million KRW, and 43 million KRW was increased by councilor proposals. The difference of 3.431 billion KRW was allocated as a reserve fund.

Projects cut included ▲ Jangwon Middle School Life SOC Complex Project ▲ Sindang Intersection Public Parking Lot Complex Facility Costs ▲ Public Parking Lot Construction Facility Costs, while projects increased by councilor proposals included ▲ production of design guidelines for construction site hoarding ▲ women’s rights projects ▲ support for revitalizing the Jung-gu Cultural Center.

Chairman Gil Gi-young declared the closing, saying, “I would like to thank fellow councilors and related officials for their hard work and efforts during the 15-day schedule of major district administration reports, ordinance and supplementary budget reviews,” and added, “I deeply apologize and feel sorry for causing concern to residents due to disruptions in the smooth progress of meetings caused by unfortunate incidents.”

Additionally, during this 273rd regular session, the following were all approved: ▲ Ordinance on the Full Revision of the Private Consignment of Seoul Special City Jung-gu Affairs ▲ Ordinance on the Full Revision of the Administrative Organization of Seoul Special City Jung-gu ▲ Partial Amendment Ordinance on the Staff Quota of Local Public Officials of Seoul Special City Jung-gu ▲ Ordinance on Support for Single-Person Households in Jung-gu ▲ Consent for Contribution to the Korea Local Tax Research Institute for 2022 ▲ Consent for Recontracting the Private Consignment of Jung-gu Dementia Safety Center ▲ Consent for Private Consignment of Operations of Jung-gu Lifelong Education Center for People with Developmental Disabilities ▲ Partial Amendment Ordinance on Admission Preparation Fund Support of Seoul Special City Jung-gu ▲ Partial Amendment Ordinance on Infant and Toddler Care of Seoul Special City Jung-gu ▲ 2021 Fiscal Year Settlement of Accounts ▲ Approval of Reserve Fund Expenditure for the 2021 Fiscal Year Expenditure Budget ▲ 2022 1st Supplementary Project Budget ▲ and the Request for Attendance of Related Officials.

Meanwhile, during this extraordinary session, four councilors from the People Power Party were absent, resulting in a lack of quorum for voting, so only the supplementary budget review was conducted without approval, and the election of the committee chairperson also failed.

Therefore, the chairman submitted the supplementary budget proposal to the plenary session ex officio, and the supplementary budget was ultimately approved.