Prolonged Vacancy in Jongno-gu Council Chairmanship... Jongno-gu Urges Normalization of the Council

Prolonged Vacancy in the Chairmanship of Jongno-gu Council Delays Processing of 16 Ordinances Including Support for Livelihood and Vulnerable Groups, and Approval of Settlement

Jung Munheon, Mayor of Jongno-gu: “Concerned About Prolonged Legislative and Administrative Vacancies Closely Related to Residents' Lives... Please Unite to Normalize the Council”

Jongno-gu (Mayor Jung Munheon) sent an official letter on the 1st urging the normalization of the district council to minimize administrative and legislative vacancies and resident damages.

This measure comes as the re-election of the Jongno-gu Council chairmanship, which should have been held following the first-instance ruling of the Administrative Court, has been indefinitely postponed, resulting in a vacancy in the chairmanship and delays in processing livelihood-related ordinances.

Jeong Munheon, Mayor of Jongno District

Currently, the main agenda items of the 1st regular session, including the approval of the 2022 fiscal year settlement and supplementary budget expenditures, along with 16 ordinance proposals and amendments, are pending in the council. Among these, six ordinances were not reviewed during the 320th extraordinary session.

In particular, the ordinance on preventing illegal filming in public restrooms in Jongno-gu aims to block illegal filming activities that may occur in public places and create an environment where residents can live with peace of mind.

The partial amendment to the ordinance supporting health insurance premiums for low-income residents of Jongno-gu also intends to contribute to enhancing resident welfare by expanding the scope of beneficiaries. Additionally, the ordinance related to care cars for elderly residents with mobility difficulties is a crucial ordinance for seniors but is currently stalled in the council due to the absence of the chairmanship.

Moreover, delays in processing numerous livelihood-related ordinances have postponed various projects for socially vulnerable groups such as elderly living alone, basic livelihood security recipients, near-poverty groups, and youth preparing for independence.

In light of the gravity and seriousness of this issue, Jongno-gu has called for the normalization of the council’s functions.

Mayor Jung Munheon stated, “Due to the prolonged legislative and administrative vacancies closely related to residents' lives, support projects for socially vulnerable groups are being repeatedly delayed. I ask the district council not to overlook the accumulating livelihood ordinances and support projects but to unite as soon as possible to normalize the council.”