Vice Minister Han Chang-seop Presides Over the 2nd Central-Local Policy Council Meeting
[Asia Economy Reporter Kiho Sung] On the 13th, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety held the 2nd Central-Local Policy Council of 2023, chaired by Vice Minister Changseop Han, with the participation of deputy heads from 17 metropolitan and provincial governments.
At this meeting, presentations and discussions were held on the themes of ▲thorough public service discipline in local governments, ▲thorough safety management in local governments, and ▲stable management of local public utility charges to strengthen support for the low-income economy.
First, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety announced that it will operate a special inspection period for establishing public service discipline for two weeks until the 24th. They plan to focus inspections on misconduct such as violations of duty taking advantage of chaotic situations, damage to the dignity of public officials and passive administration, causing social disturbances that do not meet public expectations, and violations of emergency preparedness among public officials.
Next, they discussed disasters and safety accidents with high risk of occurrence in February and March, such as heavy snow, cold waves, and wildfires. They requested thorough situation management and follow-up snow removal for heavy snow and cold waves, full-scale response including operation of internal situation management teams and wildfire prevention publicity during the spring wildfire countermeasure period (February 1 to May 15), and safety inspections in areas vulnerable to ground weakening during the thaw period to prevent safety accidents. Additionally, they asked for attention to the ‘drinking water donation relay’ in the southern region experiencing severe drought.
Finally, to support the low-income economy struggling with rising prices, they discussed stable management plans for local public utility charges along with support measures for vulnerable groups. They shared cases of local governments that froze or reduced local public utility charges and urged adjustment of the timing and minimization of increases to reduce the perception of price hikes as much as possible. Furthermore, when local governments provide emergency heating cost support to vulnerable groups, they plan to promote national funding support for activating good price stores, excluding the reduction in ordinary local allocation tax (penalty)*.
Vice Minister Changseop Han of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety emphasized, “Even amid the absence of the Minister of the Interior and Safety, I hope local governments and public officials will carry out their duties steadily in their original positions,” and added, “Since these are difficult times for everyone, please manage local public utility charges stably to minimize the burden on the low-income population.”
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