Yoon Chairs Central-Local Cooperation Meeting: "Local Era Possible Only Through Cooperation"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] President Yoon Suk-yeol presided over the 2nd Central-Local Cooperation Meeting held for the first time since the launch of the '8th Local Government Heads' election' on the afternoon of the 7th.

The meeting was held at Ulsan City Hall, attended by governors of 14 cities and provinces nationwide (Seoul, Gyeonggi, and Chungnam were represented by Oh Shin-hwan, Deputy Mayor for Political Affairs; Oh Byung-kwon, 1st Deputy Governor for Administration; and Lee Pil-young, Deputy Governor for Administration, respectively). Representatives of the four major local councils also attended, including Cho Jae-gu, Chairman of the Korea Association of Mayors, Governors and District Heads (Mayor of Nam-gu, Daegu), Kim Hyun-ki, Chairman of the Korea Association of Provincial Councils (Chairman of Seoul Metropolitan Council), and Choi Bong-hwan, Chairman of the Korea Association of City, County and District Councils (Chairman of Geumjeong District Council, Busan).

In his opening remarks, President Yoon said, "I sincerely congratulate the inauguration of the heads of the four major local councils," adding, "I wanted to meet you quickly, so I convened this meeting as soon as I heard the news of your election."

He continued, "As reflected in the national agenda, the government is doing its best to open an era of local governance where everyone enjoys fair opportunities regardless of where they live," emphasizing, "The era of local governance cannot be achieved by the central government alone; it requires cooperation between the central and local governments."

He announced that the Central-Local Cooperation Meeting will be regularized to be held once quarterly and developed into a major platform for national governance through regional rotation. "This meeting is a place where the highest decision-makers of the central and local governments gather to discuss national agendas related to local autonomy and balanced development," he said, adding, "Since city, county, and district offices and local councils also participate, I hope to hear a wide range of voices from the field."

He also emphasized that if creative ideas to solve regional problems or candid discussions about local circumstances are shared, the government will mobilize all its capabilities to provide unwavering support.

President Yoon stressed, "The core of the local system is for regions to find their own growth engines and create quality jobs locally," highlighting the creation of jobs centered on the private sector. He also said, "If the voices of the regions are reflected in the legislative and regulatory reform processes, the Central-Local Cooperation Meeting will serve as a second Cabinet meeting."