Launch of the Democratic Party's Livelihood Practice Committee at Seoul Metropolitan Council

Creating 'Politics as a Weapon for the Powerless' through Field-Centered Livelihood Politics
Building a 'World of Living Together' through Solidarity and Companionship

The Democratic Party of Korea in the Seoul Metropolitan Council (Representative Seong Heum-je, Eunpyeong 1) is stepping up its efforts on livelihood issues as it enters the second half of the 11th Seoul Metropolitan Council.

The Council’s Democratic Party ‘Livelihood Practice Committee’ (hereafter ‘Livelihood Committee’, Chairperson Bong Yang-soon, Nowon 3) held a declaration of solidarity for the “Eul” (the underprivileged) among us and the launch ceremony of the 11th Seoul Metropolitan Council Democratic Party Livelihood Practice Committee at 4 p.m. on the 1st in the second conference room of the Seoul Metropolitan Council Members’ Hall, declaring a “field-centered livelihood legislature.”

Chairperson Bong Yang-soon expressed in her opening remarks, “We reaffirm the Livelihood Committee’s commitment to ‘communicate on site, share the pain of the Eul, and act to correct injustices,’ and pledge that the Livelihood Committee will be the first to reach where the Eul are needed.” She also asked for citizens’ interest and support to create a “society happy together.”

Despite busy schedules at the National Assembly, Park Joo-min, Chairperson of the Euljiro Committee (Eunpyeong Gap), Assemblyman Jeon Hyun-hee (Jung-gu Seongdong Gap), and Assemblyman Jang Kyung-tae (Dongdaemun Eul) attended the launch ceremony to support the new start of the Livelihood Committee.

Park Joo-min, Chairperson of the Euljiro Committee, urged, “Please work hard to bring forward a society where the Eul are respected and basic rights are secured.” He also personally presented appointment letters to each member of the Livelihood Committee. Assemblyman Jang Kyung-tae expressed his hope that “the Council’s Livelihood Committee will inject new vitality into the recovery of livelihoods.” Lastly, Assemblywoman Jeon Hyun-hee said, “I will stand in solidarity and accompany the path of politics for the vulnerable.”

Woo Won-shik, former Chairperson of the Euljiro Committee and Speaker of the National Assembly, delivered a congratulatory video message, saying, “I hope the Livelihood Committee will continue the principle of incorporating the vivid voices heard on site by the Euljiro Committee into laws and policies, becoming a strong shield and support for Seoul citizens.”

Representative Seong Heum-je of the Democratic Party in the Seoul Metropolitan Council, Vice Chair Kim In-je (Guro 2), and many affiliated council members also attended in large numbers to support the new start of the Livelihood Committee.

In addition, despite the hot weather, various livelihood network organizations and citizens gathered to fill the venue to celebrate the launch ceremony.

The Council’s Livelihood Committee was formed alongside the inauguration of the 10th Seoul Metropolitan Council in 2018 as an extension of the Democratic Party’s ‘Euljiro Committee,’ with council members directly inspecting livelihood sites and preparing practical measures.

The 10th Seoul Metropolitan Council Livelihood Committee inspected various housing-poor households following the Goshiwon fire disaster, worked on improving treatment for public service workers, and protected the rights of apartment security workers. Based on these efforts, it led the enactment of ordinances such as the Seoul Metropolitan City Ordinance on the Recruitment and Service of Public Service Workers, the Ordinance on Support for Housing Environment and Safety Management for Vulnerable Groups, the Ordinance on Support for Alleviating Child Housing Poverty, and the Ordinance on the Protection of Human Rights of Apartment Workers.

Moreover, amid the COVID-19 crisis, the committee visited major traditional markets in Seoul severely affected by the pandemic to discuss support measures for small business owners and enacted ordinances to ensure the safety of essential workers performing face-to-face duties, continuously advocating for the vulnerable in our society.

Prior to the launch ceremony, Assemblywoman Bong Yang-soon was appointed as chairperson. She previously served as chairperson of the Livelihood Committee in the 10th Seoul Metropolitan Council and was the chairperson of the Environment and Water Resources Committee in the first half of the 11th Seoul Metropolitan Council.

Assemblyman Han Shin (Seongbuk 1) was elected as vice chairperson, and a total of eight members including Kim Kyung (Gangseo 2), Park Soo-bin (Gangbuk 4), Wang Jeong-soon (Gwanak 2), Lee Min-ok (Seongdong 3), Lee Byung-do (Eunpyeong 2), and Choi Jae-ran (Proportional Representation) were appointed as livelihood committee members. To address livelihood issues more responsibly, the committee was organized into the Livelihood Economy Subcommittee and the Welfare and Safety Subcommittee, with Assemblywoman Lee Min-ok elected as chair of the Livelihood Economy Subcommittee and Assemblywoman Choi Jae-ran as chair of the Welfare and Safety Subcommittee.