"Innocent Citizens and Public Officials Suffer"…Goyang City Public Officials Union Urges 'Cooperation and Budget Approval'

City Council and City Hall Each Receive '2023 Budget Proposal and Organizational Restructuring Resolution Urging Prompt Action'
City Council Chair, "Sorry for Not Fully Fulfilling Responsibility"... Mayor, "Considering Reflecting 18 Items in Supplementary Budget"

Jang Hye-jin, Chairperson of the Goyang City Public Officials Union, delivered the "2023 Budget Proposal and Organizational Restructuring Resolution Urging Statement" to Kim Young-sik, Chairperson of the Goyang City Council, on the 2nd. [Goyang City Public Officials Union]

[Asia Economy Reporter Ra Young-cheol] The Goyang City Public Officials Labor Union has stepped in to mediate, urging cooperation and the prompt approval of the 2023 Goyang City budget, following the boycott of the budget approval by Goyang City council members affiliated with the Democratic Party of Korea.

The Goyang City Public Officials Labor Union stated on the 5th, "Only innocent citizens and public officials are suffering. The City Council and the city must focus on cooperation for the welfare of the people," and delivered the 'Resolution Urging the Approval of the 2023 Budget and Organizational Restructuring Plan' on the 2nd and 3rd, respectively, along with requests for meetings with both parties.

In a prior meeting with Council Chair Kim Young-sik, the union said, "The responsibility for the City Council's deadlock lies with the chair," and urged him to "take responsible action and present solutions as the chair."

They also pointed out, "Regardless of any justification from either party, failing to approve the main budget for the 1.08 million residents of Goyang City shows a lack of serious recognition of the inconvenience to citizens and the increased workload on administrative officials."

The union also expressed to Mayor Lee Dong-hwan, "Please come up with solutions through collaboration between the executive branch and the council, and thoroughly review the amendments proposed by the council to reflect the necessary budget in the supplementary budget."

In response, Chair Kim apologized, saying, "I am sorry for not fulfilling my responsibilities as chair," and promised to submit the agenda through a special session by the 11th. Mayor Lee also acknowledged his significant responsibility and stated, "We will thoroughly review the council's 18 proposed items and reflect them in the supplementary budget."

Regarding the 18 amendments proposed by the Democratic Party council members, Mayor Lee has maintained a negative stance, saying, "Until now, group subsidies have been politically populist, benefiting only a few individuals rather than the majority, and public funds have been used inefficiently."

Meanwhile, this incident was triggered when the Goyang City Council demanded a public apology from the Secretary to the Mayor in the main assembly hall for remarks made about Democratic Party council members, but the Secretary refused to comply.

However, it is reported that the Democratic Party council members were actually protesting cuts to the budget for the Residents' Autonomous Association and other items.

As the City Council became deadlocked without reviewing the third supplementary budget and the main budget, which are essential for public welfare, the city labor union strongly protested. Eventually, only the third supplementary budget was approved in the special session, leading to the unprecedented situation where the 2023 main budget is being executed as a provisional budget.

Although Chair Kim and Mayor Lee have each taken a step back for now, the significant differences in their positions on the budget amendments make it uncertain whether an agreement will be reached in the special session.

Amid escalating conflicts between the city and the council and growing opposition from citizens and public officials, the city has requested the convening of a special session.