Seoul Jung-gu - Jung-gu Council Conflict 'End' Where?

Junggu Council Holds Press Conference on the 14th and Issues Statement Condemning Junggu Office for Ignoring Council's Budget Review and Approval Authority, Calling It a Regressive Local Autonomy Situation

Jung-gu District Office in Seoul (Mayor Kim Gilsung) held a press conference criticizing the budget cuts for next year made by the Jung-gu Council (Chairperson Gil Kiyoung), and in response, the Jung-gu Council held a press conference on the 14th, drawing attention.

On the 14th, Jung-gu Council members Gil Kiyoung, Yoon Pano, Lee Jungmi, Song Jaecheon, and Jo Mijeong held a press conference in the main assembly hall and issued a statement rebutting the Jung-gu District Office’s report from the 12th.

The final budget for next year in Jung-gu, approved at the plenary session, amounts to a total of 568.4 billion KRW. They emphasized that only 8 billion KRW was cut from the submitted budget of 576.4 billion KRW, corresponding to a reduction rate of approximately 1.39% of the total.

Compared to the budget cuts of the previous 8th council?8.5 billion KRW in 2019, 73.2 billion KRW in 2020, 52.6 billion KRW in 2021, 60.2 billion KRW in 2022?and the current 9th council’s 19 billion KRW in 2023, this is the smallest cut in history.

The council members stated, “In the current economic situation marked by prolonged high inflation and high interest rates, and continuous deterioration, the council made its best efforts after careful consideration to ensure that the budget for the welfare of residents and regional development could be approved. The 1.39% cut rate proves this. It is also the result of reflecting the executive branch’s intention to allocate only the absolutely necessary budget under difficult revenue conditions after thorough deliberation.”

The members also expressed that the budget review process was not smooth.

“The director of the Facilities Management Corporation, who has been in office for nearly a year, approached a council member a day before the session and suggested that a lower-ranking official explain the budget instead of himself, and during the session period, frequently did not attend the review citing personal reasons. The president of the Jung-gu Cultural Foundation abruptly tried to leave when a council member requested materials for a thorough budget review, which was a shocking and disheartening incident,” they said.

They further criticized, “In the current situation where even the minimum explanation opportunities were denied, the district office calls the decision to cut operating expenses of the district office and its affiliated organizations?which was intended to raise awareness?‘reckless budget cuts’ and ‘tyranny.’”

While the district office criticized the council for cutting the livelihood budget directly related to residents’ lives, the reality is different. A representative example is the ‘Senior Citizens’ Transportation Expense Budget,’ a flagship pledge of the 8th local government. Despite being a project involving significant finances, it was approved exactly as submitted by the executive branch to ensure administrative reliability and predictability.

It is reported that the Jung-gu District Office is likely to once again use the re-request for reconsideration card regarding this budget approval. Currently, banners accusing the council of drastically cutting the livelihood budget are posted throughout Jung-gu. This is exactly the same scene as one year ago.

The council members expressed their dismay, saying, “This scene is no longer surprising.”

For reference, since the launch of the 9th council until now (December 14, 2023), the Jung-gu District Office has submitted a total of four re-request for reconsideration cases within one year and six months, including the 2023 business budget, personnel hearing ordinance, basic ordinance, and approval of the administrative investigation plan.

The special administrative investigation committee to investigate allegations of misconduct at the Facilities Management Corporation has been suspended without holding proper meetings, and banners announcing the council sessions have been unlawfully removed throughout Jung-gu, causing bewilderment and outrage.

The council members strongly criticized, “Even regarding the budget cuts, the district office is condemning the council, demanding restoration of the remaining 1.39% under the plausible pretext of ‘resident harm.’ They consistently ignore administrative trust and common sense, claiming that if sufficient consultation is held, the supplementary budget planned for the first half of next year could reflect these demands.”

Additionally, the members stated, “We hope the district office keeps in mind that unnecessary political strife and confrontation ultimately harm residents, and we ask them to join the dialogue table for coexistence and genuine cooperation even now.”