Lee Chun-woo, Gyeongbuk Provincial Council Member, Wins Best Ordinance Award from Korean Local Autonomy Association

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Koo Dae-seon] Lee Chun-woo, a member of the Gyeongbuk Provincial Council (People Power Party, Yeongcheon), received the Best Individual Award at the ‘19th Korean Local Autonomy Academic Society Excellent Ordinance Awards Ceremony’ held at Ajou University Auditorium on the 17th for the ‘Gyeongbuk Province Ordinance on Prevention of Missing Persons Occurrence and Early Discovery Support.’

The Korean Local Autonomy Academic Society, founded in 1988, has continuously conducted academic discussions for local autonomy and decentralization. Since 2004, it has selected excellent ordinances to promote substantial development of autonomous legislation and contribute to the advancement of local autonomy, awarding individuals and organizations.

Gyeongbuk Provincial Council member Lee Chun-woo.

The 19th Korean Local Autonomy Academic Society Excellent Ordinance was selected through preliminary and final evaluations by a special committee composed of experts and scholars specializing in local autonomy law and administrative law, from recommended ordinances enacted or revised between September 1, 2021, and December 31, 2022, initiated by members of metropolitan and basic local councils nationwide.

The ‘Gyeongsangbuk-do Ordinance on Prevention of Missing Persons Occurrence and Early Discovery Support,’ proposed by Lee Chun-woo, who was selected for the Best Individual Ordinance, was enacted to prevent the occurrence of missing persons within the province, promote their prompt discovery and return, and improve the welfare of missing persons and their families.

The ordinance defines missing persons as children under 18, persons with disabilities (intellectual, autism, mental), dementia patients, and individuals at risk of suicide. It mandates the establishment of an annual implementation plan and resident support projects for the prevention and early discovery of missing persons. It also includes provisions for resident education and publicity for prevention, support for necessary search supplies and equipment, and the establishment of a cooperative network with private crime prevention and security organizations to efficiently discover missing persons early.

Lee Chun-woo stated, “In Gyeongbuk, with the increase in the elderly population, cases occur where dementia patients protected at home or facilities get lost and go missing. Although local police lead the search efforts, large-scale search activities are difficult without active help from local residents. Through this ordinance, it is expected that the expansion of support for prevention and early discovery of missing persons in the province will reduce the physical, mental, and economic damages suffered by the missing persons themselves and their families.”

Lee Chun-woo of the Gyeongbuk Provincial Council is a senior lawmaker who has served three terms in basic local councils and was successfully re-elected as a metropolitan council member. He was elected chairman of the Planning and Economy Committee in the first half of the term.