Changwon Mayor Hong Nampyo Attends Regular Meeting of Special City Mayors' Council

Emphasizing the Necessity of Planning and Financial Authority

Hong Nampyo, Mayor of Changwon Special City in Gyeongnam, attended the 2023 1st Regular Meeting of the Korea Special City Mayors' Association held at KINTEX in Goyang on the 5th.

The meeting was attended by Mayor Hong, along with Lee Sang-il, Mayor of Yongin Special City, Lee Dong-hwan, Mayor of Goyang Special City, and Lee Jae-jun, Mayor of Suwon Special City.

The agenda focused on electing the representative chairman to lead the 3rd term of the Korea Special City Mayors' Association, urging the enactment of the Special Act on Support for Special Cities, proposing the 3rd Local Government Transfer, and promoting the association’s associate membership.

Hong Nampyo, Mayor of Changwon Special City in Gyeongnam, attended the 2023 1st Regular Meeting of the Korea Special City Mayors' Council held on the 5th at KINTEX in Goyang.

Mayor Hong pointed out the lack of planning authority and financial support as issues faced by special cities, emphasizing the need for transferring planning authority and financial support that considers the scale of the city, rather than simple administrative task transfers.

He also stated that the foundation of special cities should be strengthened based on the enactment of the “Special Act on Support for Special Cities,” currently submitted to the National Assembly’s standing committee, and the results of the study on securing financial authority being conducted by the Korea Local Tax Research Institute.

With the enactment of the “Special Act on Decentralization and Regional Balanced Development” and the new launch of the Local Autonomy and Decentralization Committee, discussions to secure special authorities should be resumed to demand powers commensurate with the scale of special cities.

At the meeting, it was agreed to resume legislative proposals regarding administrative tasks decided for transfer by the Decentralization Committee but not yet finally transferred, and to focus future proposals on financial and personnel support necessary for performing these tasks.

Mayor Hong said, “The second half of this year is a crucial period to concentrate our capabilities on securing substantial special authorities,” adding, “The four special cities must unite their efforts to ensure our legitimate demands are realized.”