Why Kim Hyun-gi, Chairperson of Seoul Metropolitan Council, Is Rated as the Most Influential Chairperson in History?

Chairman Kim Holds First Seoul Metropolitan Council New Year Press Briefing in 33 Years Since 1991 Reestablishment on 23rd, Proposes 'Seoul-Type Low Birthrate Overcoming Model'... Emphasizes Reconsideration of Seoul National University of Science and Technology's Grade Decline and Increased Student Leave Rates After Half-Price Tuition Implementation... Shows Decision to Extend Tax Support Suspension for tbs from January 1, 2024 to June 1, 2024, Highlighting Presence... Chairman Kim Maintains Broad Cooperation with Mayor Oh Se-hoon, Evaluated as Fulfilling Dual Roles for Seoul Citizens

Kim Hyun-ki, Chairman of the Seoul Metropolitan Council, held a press briefing on the 23rd and presented the 'Seoul-type Low Birthrate Measures'.

"The 11th Seoul Metropolitan Council has been evaluated as 'the most influential council in history' after 1 year and 6 months since its inauguration."

This statement was made by Kim Hyun-gi, Chairman of the Seoul Metropolitan Council, during a New Year's meeting with reporters on the morning of the 23rd.

Chairman Kim held a press conference titled "Becoming the 'Seoul Solution Council' that provides answers to the tasks of 'citizen survival - Seoul's continuity'."

It was the first New Year's press conference of the Seoul Metropolitan Council in 33 years since the council's reestablishment in 1991.

Usually, the mayor of Seoul, a metropolitan government head, holds a New Year's press conference to explain the new year's administrative plans and communicate with the public.

However, it was somewhat unexpected that the chairman of the Seoul Metropolitan Council, representing 10 million Seoul citizens, held the first New Year's meeting this time.

On this day, Chairman Kim raised the issue of "low birthrate" as the first topic at the press conference.

The low birthrate issue has become a national crisis and a theme of concern for the future of South Korea even in overseas media.

Accordingly, Chairman Kim emphasized, "With the determination to open future highways and future broadband, there is a disruptive investment in low birthrate, preparation for the future, and the starting point is the low birthrate countermeasures."

He criticized that although the low birthrate problem is at a disastrous level and the country faces the risk of extinction if it continues as is, everyone has forgotten this reality.

He stressed that from now on, with disruptive and unprecedented support, having and raising children must be transformed from a life burden into the greatest life opportunity.

He argued that bold investment and determination are needed for the low birthrate issue as a national fate matter, just like President Park Chung-hee’s construction of the Gyeongbu Expressway that opened the path to industrialization, and President Kim Dae-jung’s investment in internet communication networks that advanced Korea into a digital powerhouse.

Accordingly, he proposed the "Seoul-type Low Birthrate Overcoming Model" ? abolishing income restrictions, supplying 4,000 housing units annually... providing 100,000 KRW monthly child allowance up to age 18, and 100 million KRW in cash support, among other measures.

Chairman Kim Proposes 'Seoul-type Low Birthrate Overcoming Model'... "We Will Drastically Increase the Birthrate"

Chairman Kim emphasized that the Seoul Metropolitan Council will open the floodgates of bold measures and proposed the "Seoul-type Low Birthrate Overcoming Model" to ensure the cries of newborns echo every second, aiming to drastically increase the birthrate.

He outlined the core proposals: first, all low birthrate policies will remove income criteria so that any household with children can benefit.

The council plans to negotiate with Seoul City to ensure that low birthrate overcoming policies benefit all newlyweds and households expecting children regardless of income.

Second, they plan to supply 4,000 public housing units annually where eligibility is not income-dependent. He emphasized that in Seoul, birthrate cannot be increased without solving housing problems. Additionally, they aim to support interest on rental deposit loans for 10,000 households annually, designing the support rate differently by number of children ? for example, 2.0% of loan interest for one-child households, 4.0% for two-child households, and full interest support for households with three or more children.

Third, they plan to extend current cash support, which is concentrated on ages 0-8, up to age 18 to provide continuous support until children become adults. Currently, government and Seoul City budgets provide up to about 86 million KRW in cash support, but they propose adding ▲700,000 KRW for pregnant women's transportation costs ▲1.2 million KRW for parental allowance ▲12 million KRW child allowance (ages 8-18), totaling up to 100 million KRW by age 18.

Additionally, the Seoul Metropolitan Council plans to lead efforts to improve perceptions of childcare, such as parental leave.

The council stated that it will negotiate with Seoul City to promptly implement the "Seoul-type Low Birthrate Overcoming Model" that it has conceived and proposed.

The details of the "Seoul-type Low Birthrate Overcoming Model" proposed by Chairman Kim are expected to be finalized soon through discussions with Seoul City.

There is a reason why Chairman Kim is regarded as the most influential council chairman in history.

Chairman Kim Criticizes Seoul National University of Science and Technology's Ranking Plummeting After Half-Price Tuition Implementation

First, Chairman Kim drew attention by pointing out that after the implementation of half-price tuition at Seoul National University of Science and Technology, the school's ranking has plummeted and student dropout rates have increased.

He cited that Seoul National University of Science and Technology dropped significantly in the QS World University Rankings from within the top 500 in 2012 to around 800 in 2022, has a 33% rate of students on leave of absence which is 10 percentage points higher than other universities, and about 300 students drop out annually.

He noted that despite 628.9 billion KRW in taxpayer support over 11 years since the half-price tuition policy was implemented, these results call for a reassessment.

Chairman Kim emphasized, "It is time to stop the half-price tuition policy and restore the original tuition."

Along with this, he showed a firm stance on the politically controversial issue of tbs under Seoul City, while also paying attention to exit strategies.

Extension of Tax Support Suspension for tbs from January 1, 2024, to June 1, 2024, a 5-Month 'Decision'

The Seoul Metropolitan Council passed the "Partial Amendment to the Ordinance on the Establishment and Operation of the Seoul Metropolitan Media Foundation tbs" and the "Consent to Contribution" submitted by the Seoul Mayor on the 22nd of last month.

As a result, the suspension of tax support for tbs was extended by five months from January 1, 2024, to June 1, 2024.

This action by the Seoul Metropolitan Council followed Chairman Kim Hyun-gi's urgent referral and request for review of the ordinance amendment and the 9.3 billion KRW contribution consent bill submitted by the mayor on the 20th to the Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee, the relevant standing committee, on the 22nd of last month.

Chairman Kim said, "As chairman of the Seoul Metropolitan Council representing 10 million citizens, we have responded to the amendment of the tbs support ordinance according to law and principles. Although the 'tbs tax support suspension ordinance' was passed in November last year, Seoul City has not taken proper follow-up measures for over a year, and it is regrettable that the city submitted the ordinance bill after the deadline for this regular session. However, considering the livelihoods of many tbs employees who have worked quietly, we allowed the review of the ordinance bill from a magnanimous perspective."

The Seoul Metropolitan Council strongly demanded that the scope of contributions be limited to personnel expenses and retirement benefits excluding project costs to minimize the burden on citizens, adjusting the contribution amount to 9.3 billion KRW.

Chairman Kim stated, "The Seoul Metropolitan Council will monitor whether the tbs reorganization is properly carried out, and if tbs aims to become a broader broadcaster truly loved by citizens, we will not hesitate to provide necessary support."

Thus, Chairman Kim maintains clear positions on major issues, which is why he is regarded as the most influential council chairman in history.

Chairman Kim is the most senior member of the current Seoul Metropolitan Council with four terms and has assisted senior members of the National Assembly for over 20 years. Moreover, he is an outstanding politician with a Ph.D. in Public Finance from Dongguk University.

Nevertheless, Chairman Kim actively cooperates with Mayor Oh Se-hoon's administration. Mayor Oh recently told reporters, "Chairman Kim is a very principled and strict person, but I am grateful for his cooperation on the big picture," reflecting his political skills.