The 276th Extraordinary Session Opens to Review Standing Committee Adjustments and Ordinance Proposals Following District Office Reorganization
[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] The Seoul Jung-gu Council (Chairperson Gil Gi-young) convened the 276th extraordinary session from the 27th to the 30th.
This extraordinary session was called to review adjustments to the departments under the jurisdiction of the standing committees following the major reorganization of the Jung-gu District Office effective January 1, as well as to deliberate on ordinance-related agenda items stipulated in Article 54 (Extraordinary Session) of the Local Autonomy Act, which was recently amended.
At the opening ceremony of the 1st plenary session held at 9 a.m. on the 27th, the following agenda items were processed: ▲Decision on the session period ▲Decision on the agenda schedule ▲Appointment of minutes signatories ▲Adjournment of the plenary session.
On the same day, the Council Operations Committee convened to review ordinance proposals. The Council plans to hold the 2nd plenary session at 10 a.m. on the 30th to approve the agenda items and then adjourn.
Chairperson Gil Gi-young stated in his opening remarks, “Since its inauguration last year, the Jung-gu Council has carried out substantive legislative activities within a short period of six months, doing its utmost to serve as a representative voice for residents. In the new year, we will continue to actively conduct resident-centered legislative activities by holding regular public hearings and strengthening members’ research activities.”
He also added, “The financial instability triggered by high inflation and high interest rates has severely impacted vulnerable groups and small business owners. We will devote all our efforts to providing swift and thorough support and stability for residents’ livelihoods.”
Opening Remarks by Gil Gi-young, Chairperson of Jung-gu Council
Dear respected and beloved residents of Jung-gu!
To my fellow council members who are always striving for the development of district administration,
To Mayor Kim Gil-seong and all related officials,
And to the members of the press who take a special interest in our legislative activities,
Hello, I am Chairperson Gil Gi-young.
It is a pleasure to meet you all in good health and spirits at the 276th extraordinary session, marking the first step in the new year’s council operations.
As we welcome the hopeful year of 2023, the Year of the Water Rabbit, I hope you all had a warm Lunar New Year holiday with your families. I also extend my gratitude to those who quietly fulfilled their duties in the field despite the holiday.
It has been three years since the onset of COVID-19, which threatened the entire nation and the world. The decision to lift indoor mask mandates has been made and will be implemented starting next week.
I would like to once again thank all residents for adhering to quarantine rules, the dedicated medical staff, and the related officials for their devoted efforts.
While we are regaining our precious daily lives, the aftermath of COVID-19, combined with the Russia-Ukraine war, has brought about the pain of high inflation and high interest rates.
The economic contraction caused by rising prices and financial instability due to high interest rates especially impose greater hardships on socially vulnerable groups such as the elderly and disabled, as well as self-employed individuals and small business owners.
In this crisis, the council and the district office must cooperate to establish and implement various policies that consider vulnerable groups and small business owners, and, inspired by the flexible and agile wisdom of the rabbit, strive for a swift economic recovery.
Dear fellow council members,
And related officials,
The 276th extraordinary session, held over four days starting today, was convened to review ordinance proposals adjusting the standing committees’ jurisdictions following the Jung-gu District Office reorganization effective January 1, 2023.
Organizing the structure and adjusting committees is an important process to lay the foundation for cooperative governance aimed at residents’ happiness and district development under the 9th Council and the 8th elected administration.
Please ensure that thorough and substantive review of agenda items is conducted.
Last year, the 9th Jung-gu Council handled 82 agenda items, including budget proposals, settlement reports, and ordinances, within a short period of six months amid the expectations and support of residents.
Through administrative audits, district administration questions, field visits, and resident meetings, we have proposed alternatives to the executive branch and have done our best as a representative body reflecting residents’ will.
This year, we will continue to hold meetings to gather opinions on major issues.
We will also strengthen individual council members’ capabilities and expertise through research groups.
I sincerely ask for the passionate legislative activities of the council members this year as well, and I promise to spare no support for smooth legislative operations.
Dear residents of Jung-gu,
This year, the Jung-gu Council will do its utmost to create a “Open Council” centered on residents, characterized by harmony, communication, fairness, and coexistence.
Please continue to show unwavering interest and support so that the Jung-gu Council can communicate effectively with residents.
To all beloved residents and everyone here, I wish you a prosperous new year, and may 2023 be a year of great advancement for you, like the wise and leaping rabbit.
Thank you.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
