Gyeongnam Provincial Council and Civil Servants' Union Clash Over 'Follow-up Reports' on Provincial Administration Inquiries

"Unfair Overreach" vs. "Legitimate Measure to Enhance Administrative Trust"

Recently, the Gyeongnam Provincial Council strengthened the follow-up reporting system for the executive branch regarding 'provincial government questions' and 'five-minute free speeches', prompting opposition from the public officials' labor union.

The Gyeongnam Public Officials Union and the Gyeongnam Office of Education Union held a press conference at the provincial government press center on the 8th, condemning the move as "an unfair measure and an overreach of the council's authority" and stating, "Mandatory follow-up reporting is unjust."

They argued, "According to the Local Autonomy Act, document submission can only be requested when there is a resolution by the plenary session or committee, or at the request of the chairperson," and "Assigning a reporting obligation based on individual council members' requests has no legal basis."

They further stated, "Imposing a reporting obligation on the executive branch solely based on individual council members' requests, without official procedures, infringes on administrative efficiency, fairness, independence, and autonomy."

The union stated, "We are already responding responsibly and cooperating sincerely regarding provincial government questions and five-minute free speeches," and added, "If follow-up reporting is also made mandatory, it will only increase unnecessary administrative burdens and lower the quality of administrative services provided to residents."

Recently, the provincial council improved its follow-up action system in response to criticism that the management of follow-up measures by the executive branch after provincial government questions and five-minute free speeches was insufficient.

Accordingly, in addition to the existing method of entering progress and related responses into the council's website and work portal system, the new system requires the preparation of a provincial government question processing card and progress report within 14 days after the question or free speech, submission of related official documents, and a face-to-face report to the relevant council member.

However, it is stipulated that the reporting method and schedule can be coordinated with the Secretariat of Expert Advisors, and when the speaking council member requests it, the executive branch will report after consultation with the Secretariat.

A union representative expressed concern, saying, "Even if reports are only made upon request, we do not know how often or to what extent they will be demanded, and having to report on requests from individual council members, not just standing committees or the Secretariat, is a heavy burden," and added, "Even if not all contents are reported, this measure could be misused to satisfy individual council members' curiosity."

The Gyeongnam Provincial Government Employees' Union and the Gyeongnam Office of Education Employees' Union are holding a press conference opposing the executive branch's follow-up measures related to the Gyeongnam Provincial Council's administrative questions and 5-minute free speeches. Photo by Lee Seryoung

In response, the provincial council countered, "Requests for cooperation on follow-up measures such as provincial government questions are neither a unilateral imposition of obligations nor lacking legal legitimacy."

They further explained, "Unlike other provincial councils, we did not create new compulsory regulations; rather, we sent this as a cooperation letter after two rounds of prior consultation with the executive branch, aiming to operate the management system through communication with the executive agency."

The council stated, "In seven provinces and cities including Seoul, Busan, Incheon, Ulsan, Gyeonggi, Chungnam, and Jeonbuk, compulsory provisions for follow-up reporting after provincial government questions or five-minute free speeches are already being enforced through ordinances or rules, and in Gwangju, Gangwon, Chungbuk, Jeonnam, and Jeju, follow-up reports are received via official documents," adding, "Gyeongnam's move to strengthen the system was somewhat delayed."

The council further emphasized, "Reporting requests made personally by local council members are part of cooperation and collaboration between local council members and the executive agency," and "Provincial council members represent residents by questioning in the plenary session and demanding corrections and measures, and confirming the actual implementation of these is a legitimate legislative activity."

Additionally, they stated, "Reports to the executive branch are only requested when the speaking council member needs additional confirmation, so this does not create an undue administrative burden and will instead strengthen communication between council members and the executive branch, thereby enhancing administrative trust."

The council urged, "This issue was raised in the 10th council and former Governor Kim Kyungsoo promised improvements during the 11th council's provincial government questions, yet improvements have not been made," and called on the union to "accept the council's legitimate requests and strengthen communication with the residents."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.