Ichilgu, Chair of the Provincial Council Operations Committee, "Efforts to Elevate the Status of Local Councils"

Regular Meeting Held on Jeju Island

The Council of Chairpersons of the Operating Committees of City and Provincial Councils in the Republic of Korea (Chairman: Lee Chil-gu) held the 7th regular meeting of the 10th term's second half on the 25th at the Sun Hotel in Jeju.

Lee Chil-gu, chairman of the Gyeongbuk Provincial Council's Operating Committee (People Power Party, Pohang), said in his opening remarks, "With the full revision of the Local Autonomy Act in the 21st National Assembly, local autonomy and decentralization have taken a step forward," adding, "In the 22nd National Assembly, our council must make many proposals to ensure that local autonomy remains the most important topic."

Ichilgu, Chairman of the Council Operations Committee of the Provincial Council Association

At the regular meeting, seven agenda items were discussed, including the 'Proposal to Urge the Swift Passage of the Local Council Act in the National Assembly,' 'Proposal to Amend the Income Tax Act to Overcome Ultra-Low Birthrates,' and 'Proposal for the Operation of a Pilot Project to Introduce Public Functions in Maritime Transport in Jeju and to Resolve Additional Delivery Costs for Parcel Services in Island and Mountainous Areas.'

Chairman Lee Chil-gu stated, "Although the authority of local governments has been strengthened through the decentralization of many central government affairs, the authority of local councils has not kept pace," and added, "As chairman, I will strive to properly perform the local councils' inherent functions of checks and oversight and to enhance the status of local councils."

The Council of Chairpersons of the Operating Committees of City and Provincial Councils in the Republic of Korea is a gathering to discuss common interests of city and provincial councils nationwide, exchange information necessary for council operations, and promote the resolution of regional pending issues and the development of local autonomy. Its members are the chairpersons of the operating committees of the 17 city and provincial councils, and it holds regular meetings once a month.