Gangwon Province, "Push to Propose 'Gangwon Special Act Amendment' in Early February"

'Bipartisan Cooperation'... Representative Heo Young of the Democratic Party Leads Proposal
97 Legislative Tasks and 181 Clauses Under Discussion

[Asia Economy Reporter Ra Young-cheol] Gangwon Province announced on the 31st that "it plans to propose the amendment to the Gangwon Special Act in early February (scheduled for 2.6)" and added, "In order to increase the possibility of passage in the National Assembly, bipartisan cooperation is necessary, so we will persuade as many lawmakers as possible and have them co-sponsor the bill."

In September last year, Governor Kim Jin-tae of Gangwon Province (left in the photo) and Democratic Party lawmaker Heo Young are discussing the amendment of the Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province Act at the National Assembly. [Photo provided by Gangwon Province]

The province stated, "We are discussing specific details with Assemblyman Heo Young (Democratic Party, Chuncheon City, Cheorwon, Hwacheon, Yanggu-gun Gap), who has greatly contributed to the promotion of the special autonomous province by proposing the 'Gangwon Special Act and the 1st Amendment (Support Committee),'" and conveyed this information.

According to the province, they are currently discussing with Assemblyman Heo's office the 181 articles across 97 legislative tasks announced through regional briefings (January 11-13 for mining areas, inland, border, and East Coast regions) and a comprehensive briefing for residents (January 17 in Chuncheon).

In particular, considering the need to quickly proceed with consultations with ministries and discussions in the National Assembly, they are reviewing various measures such as prioritizing the proposal of core tasks and a phased legislative strategy.

The plan is to create a proposal that most lawmakers from both ruling and opposition parties can agree on to secure as many allies as possible. Even if the bill proposal is somewhat delayed compared to the original plan, the goal for passage in the National Assembly will remain unchanged.

Originally, the schedule was to propose the bill by the end of January, have it submitted and reviewed by the Administrative Safety Committee in March, and pass it in the National Assembly in April. Now, the goal is to propose the bill in early February, have it submitted and reviewed by the Administrative Safety Committee in March, and pass it in the plenary session of the National Assembly in April.

Kim Jin-tae, Governor of Gangwon Province, said, "Passing the amendment to the Gangwon Special Act is an absolute task to equip the special autonomous province with authority and status before its launch on June 11," and added, "We will surely meet the aspirations of the residents through cooperation beyond political factions."