Local Government Autonomy Must Be Expanded!... Korea Large Cities Mayors Association Launches Full-Scale Research Service

Discussion on Institutional Reforms for Local Autonomy Realization
Research Service on Special Provisions for Large Cities and Constitutional Amendments to Be Pursued
Chair Kangdeok Lee: "Let Us Lead a True Era of Local Governance as Protagonists Shaping the Nation's Future"

The Korea Large Cities Mayors Association, chaired by Kangdeok Lee, mayor of Pohang, held the 6th regular meeting of the 8th popularly elected term on the 26th and began earnest efforts to establish an institutional foundation for strengthening the autonomy of local governments.

Kangdeok Lee, mayor of Pohang, is presiding over the Korea Large Cities Mayors Association meeting held via video conference on the 26th. Photo by Pohang City

During this meeting, amid ongoing discussions about constitutional amendments, the proposal to conduct a 'Research Service on Special Provisions for Large Cities and Constitutional Amendments' was submitted as an agenda item and discussed in depth.

Chair Kangdeok Lee emphasized, "Local decentralization is an unavoidable task of our time for the sustainable development of Korea," and added, "Since discussions on constitutional amendments have been ongoing since the launch of the new government, it is essential to make advance preparations for expanding special provisions for large cities and securing their constitutional status."

He further urged, "Let us unite the strength of our 19 member cities and work together to lead a true era of local governance, not as objects of central politics, but as subjects who shape the nation's future together."

This meeting was presided over by Kangdeok Lee, mayor of Pohang, and was attended by mayors, deputy mayors, and other key officials from 15 out of the 19 large cities that are members of the association. The participants shared major issues and sought joint response measures.

Additionally, at the meeting, Byeongsoo Kim, mayor of Gimpo, was appointed as the 22nd vice-chair of the association. A total of 21 agenda items were discussed and processed, including expanding personnel expenses standards for large cities with populations of 500,000 or more, increasing national and provincial funding for child care facilities, revising laws to address overcrowding in middle schools, improving regional asset criteria for emergency welfare, and easing regulations on aging industrial complexes.

The Korea Large Cities Mayors Association is comprised of 19 cities with populations of 500,000 or more. Since its establishment in 2003, it has served as a consultative body to promote efficient administration by discussing shared interests and policy improvements among large cities.