Prolonged Vacancy of Asan City Council Chairperson Expected

Disagreements Between Ruling and Opposition Parties Over Follow-Up Measures

Asan City Council building.

The Asan City Council in South Chungcheong Province is facing a leadership vacancy, and the situation appears likely to be prolonged due to disagreements between the ruling and opposition parties over how to proceed.

According to Asia Economy's coverage on the 21st, Council Chairperson Hong Seongpyo of the Democratic Party of Korea caused controversy by attending his alma mater's graduation ceremony in a drunken state on the 10th.

Chairperson Hong submitted his resignation on the 14th, but a special session must be convened to process it.

People Power Party council members argue that an immediate special session is needed to accept the resignation and refer the matter to the Special Ethics Committee, while Democratic Party members insist that the election of a new chairperson should be handled at the same time.

If no prompt agreement is reached, the agenda items are likely to be carried over to the 254th special session scheduled to begin on the 12th of next month.

The issue of selecting an acting chairperson is also under discussion. Maeng Uiseok, the vice chairperson from the People Power Party, is a possible candidate to serve as acting chairperson, but he is currently registered as a preliminary candidate for the upcoming Asan mayoral by-election.

If he represents the council at events such as delivering congratulatory remarks or presenting awards, there are concerns about violating the Public Official Election Act, making it difficult for him to carry out the role.

Kim Miseong, chairperson of the Steering Committee, stated, "There has been talk of holding a one-point special session, but nothing has been decided," adding, "Negotiations between the parties are still ongoing."