Council of Governors Meeting... Discussion of Local Government Issues
Proposal to Promote Relocation of Government, National, and Public Institutions to Local Areas
"Cooperation Requested for Including the Spirit of May 18 in the Constitution Preamble in Next Year's Local Elections"
On the afternoon of the 26th, Gwangju Mayor Kang Gijeong attended the executive meeting of the Korea Council of Governors held in Yeouido, Seoul, and advocated the necessity of government policies for local decentralization and balanced development. Photo by Gwangju City
On the afternoon of the 26th, Gwangju Mayor Kang Gijeong attended the executive meeting of the Korea Council of Governors held in Yeouido, Seoul, and emphasized, "Although this year marks the 30th anniversary of locally elected governments, local autonomy and fiscal authority remain insufficient, and local regions are facing the crisis of extinction due to population decline." He stressed the necessity of government policies for true local decentralization and balanced development.
The executive meeting of the Council of Governors held that day was attended by Incheon Mayor Yoo Jeongbok (Chairman), South Gyeongsang Governor Park Wansu (Vice Chairman), Sejong Mayor Choi Minho (Vice Chairman), Gwangju Mayor Kang Gijeong (Auditor), and Secretary General Yoo Minbong, totaling five participants.
According to the city on the 27th, the meeting discussed the role of the Council of Governors following the launch of the new government, campaign pledges related to local decentralization and balanced development for the 21st presidential election, the hosting of a comprehensive policy expo marking the 30th anniversary of locally elected governments, and the organization of the Korea-China Governors Growth Conference and Korea-Japan Governors Meeting, among other current issues.
The executive members emphasized the need for action to ensure that local decentralization and balanced development are reflected in the new government's policies. In particular, Mayor Kang called for the complete abolition of the preliminary feasibility study system for projects targeting non-capital regions and the prompt relocation of government, national, and public institutions currently based in the capital area to local regions.
Mayor Kang also requested cooperation to ensure that the spirit of the May 18 Democratization Movement is included in the preamble of the Constitution in next year's local elections. He stated, "All candidates?Lee Jaemyung, Kim Moonsu, and Lee Joonseok?have either announced constitutional amendment pledges to include the spirit of May 18 in the preamble or have clearly expressed their support for it."
The executive members of the Council of Governors pledged to unite and cooperate with all institutions, including the 17 metropolitan and provincial governments and the four major local government associations. The Council of Governors plans to reaffirm central-local government cooperation, especially considering that the new government will be launched without a presidential transition committee, and to announce the common positions of the metropolitan and provincial governors.
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