Relentless Civil Servants, Homeless Pets... Gwangju Buk-gu Council Takes Action

Son Hyejin: "Guaranteeing Leave for Election Officials"
Jeon Miyong: "Institutionalizing Welfare for Companion Animals"

Gwangju Buk-gu Council has initiated amendments to ordinances aimed at securing election leave rights for public officials and expanding welfare for companion animals. The proposed changes aim to provide 'rest' for public officials at election sites and 'spaces for coexistence' for companion animals.

According to Buk-gu Council on the 24th, Councilor Son Hyejin (Progressive Party, Yongbong, Maegok, Ilgok, Samgak-dong) recently proposed a partial amendment to the 'Gwangju Buk-gu Local Public Officials Service Ordinance' during the 301st extraordinary session.

Gwangju Bukgu Council.

Under the revised Local Public Officials Service Regulations last year, some public officials involved in election duties were granted paid leave. However, those in charge of practical tasks such as preparing voter lists or sending out election materials at local administrative welfare centers were excluded, raising concerns over fairness. In response, Buk-gu granted special leave at the discretion of the district mayor to administrative assistants, secretaries, and main office election staff who were not covered by the regulations during last year's 22nd National Assembly election.

Councilor Son stated, "I proposed the amendment to improve the treatment of some public officials who have not been guaranteed sufficient leave despite performing election duties," adding, "I plan to clearly stipulate in the ordinance that all public officials working at election sites must be granted leave during elections."

From the left, Hyejin Son and Miyong Jeon, members of the Gwangju Buk-gu Council. Provided by Gwangju Buk-gu Council

At the same session, Councilor Jeon Miyong (Democratic Party, Junghung 1, Junghung, Sinan, Im, Jungang-dong) proposed a complete amendment to the 'Gwangju Buk-gu Ordinance on the Protection and Prevention of Abuse of Companion Animals and Lost/Abandoned Animals.' The ordinance includes the establishment of an Animal Welfare Committee, designation of a district-level Animal Protection Day, and the creation of playgrounds for companion animals.

Councilor Jeon said, "It is estimated that there are about 50,000 companion animals in Buk-gu," and added, "With declining birth rates and an aging population, the demand for companion animals is expected to continue increasing. It is time to implement companion animal-friendly policies that reflect changing times and residents' expectations."

Both ordinances are scheduled to be reviewed by their respective standing committees on the 26th and will be put to a final vote at the plenary session on the 28th.

Meanwhile, Gwangju Buk-gu is the largest autonomous district in Gwangju, home to over 420,000 residents, and is a densely populated area where urban and suburban zones coexist. Recently, civil complaints related to companion animals near apartments and residential areas have been steadily increasing, highlighting the need to expand public animal welfare infrastructure. In addition, since a significant number of Buk-gu public officials are assigned to administrative welfare centers handling fieldwork such as elections and civil complaints, the ordinance to expand leave for public officials is also seen as a practical supplement tailored to local needs.