Park Pilsun of Gwangju City Council Urges Mayor Kang to Mediate City Bus Strike

Urgent Issue Question: "Citizens Expect Mediation and Resolution"
"Coordinating Interests and Mediating Conflicts Are Also Essential Qualities for a Mayor"

Park Pilsun, member of Gwangju City Council, is asking an 'urgent issue question' at the 1st regular session of the 332nd plenary meeting on the 16th. Provided by Gwangju City Council

On June 16, Park Pilsun, a member of Gwangju City Council (Democratic Party of Korea, Gwangsan-gu 3), called on Gwangju Mayor Kang Gijung to step in as a mediator in the ongoing conflict between city bus labor and management during an 'urgent issue question' at the 1st regular session of the 332nd plenary meeting of the city council.

Park stated, "City buses have been at a standstill for two weeks, causing significant harm to the daily lives of citizens." She emphasized, "The damage is even more severe because public transportation is mainly used by socially vulnerable groups such as youth, women, and workers."

She continued, "A head of a local government is not only the leader of administration but also a politician. Therefore, in addition to administrative duties, the ability to coordinate interests and mediate conflicts as an elected official is one of the most important qualities for a mayor."

She added, "Citizens expect the mayor to mediate and resolve difficult and sharply divided situations. Taking just one more step forward could change the entire day for countless citizens."

Park especially pointed out, "It is regrettable that the mayor's response to the proposal to set up a dialogue table for ending the strike focused solely on 'the union's decision.'"

Meanwhile, Park noted, "The council is also working to facilitate meetings between the management and the union to resume wage negotiations," and urged, "I ask both the executive branch and labor-management representatives to work together so that city buses and public transportation can return to normal as soon as possible and be improved for greater convenience."