Minho Choi: "Structural Mechanisms Needed to Address Confrontation Between Local Councils and Executives"

Attending the National Assembly Forum Marking the 30th Anniversary of Local Autonomy
Emphasizing the Need for Constitutional Reform for Local Decentralization and Revision of the Local Autonomy System

Mayor Minho Choi of Sejong City is speaking as the representative of the National Governors Association at the 30th Anniversary of Local Autonomy National Assembly Forum.
Photo by Office of Planning and Coordination, External Cooperation Officer

"In order to resolve the phenomenon of political subordination in local autonomy caused by the party nomination system, and to address the current system of institutional confrontation where there is no mechanism for coordination between local government heads and local councils, constitutional reform for local decentralization and innovation of the local autonomy system are urgently needed," he said.

On June 27, at the National Assembly Members' Office Building in Yeouido, Mayor Minho Choi of Sejong City made these remarks during a National Assembly forum commemorating the 30th anniversary of locally elected governments. On this day, Mayor Choi attended as the representative of the National Governors Association of Korea and requested support for the reform of the current local autonomy system.

He particularly emphasized the need for constitutional amendments focused on local decentralization and the reform of the local autonomy system. He also highlighted the negative consequences of so-called factional politics practiced by local councils under the pretext of being the majority party.

This event, co-hosted by the National Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee and the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, was attended by National Assembly Speaker Woo Wonshik, Public Administration and Security Committee Chairman Shin Jeonghun, more than ten ruling and opposition lawmakers, Vice Minister of the Interior and Safety Kim Minjae, representatives of the four major local government associations, and academic experts.

In his congratulatory address, Mayor Choi expressed his joy and gratitude for being able to deliver congratulations as the representative of the National Governors Association at this meaningful event marking the 30th anniversary of locally elected governments.

He noted the role of the local autonomy system in realizing governance by the people, for the people, and of the people, and in maintaining consistency and contributing to national stability despite changes in the political environment. However, he made it clear that issues such as the limited fiscal authority granted to local governments, autonomy in organizational and personnel matters, and the distribution of powers between the central and local governments remain challenges that must be addressed.

He also stressed that, in order to resolve the triple challenges of low birth rates and population aging, regional extinction, and political polarization, it is necessary to: ▲ strengthen the competitiveness of local governments; ▲ complete the administrative capital Sejong; and ▲ clarify the legislative, planning, and fiscal autonomy of local governments through constitutional amendments.

Mayor Choi stated, "To prepare for an unpredictable future that is different from the past, reform of the current local autonomy system is also inevitable." He added, "By strengthening local decentralization centered on the completion of the administrative capital Sejong, the central and local governments must jointly address bottlenecks and conflicts in state affairs, as well as the diverse needs of various social groups."

He revealed that he was in charge of the practical work for the full revision of the Local Autonomy Act at the Ministry of Home Affairs (now the Ministry of the Interior and Safety) in 1990, and confessed the sense of disparity he felt between the ideals he dreamed of at the time and the realities he experienced as a local government head. He emphasized that the cause of local autonomy being subordinated to central politics lies in the party nomination system for local autonomy, and that serious discussion is needed on institutional improvements that fit current realities.

He argued that serious discussions should begin on introducing an advanced political system, including establishing structural mechanisms for cooperation between local government heads and local councils.

This is evidenced by the fact and circumstances that Mayor Choi has suffered considerable embarrassment in plenary sessions at the hands of Sejong City council members from the Democratic Party of Korea, who hold a majority in the council.

Mayor Choi said, "Politics is the art of noisy negotiation, and I believe that conflict and confrontation are inevitable in politics. However, we must not forget the saying that a politician thinks of the next era, while a mere political operator thinks of the next election." He continued, "The 30th anniversary of local autonomy and the launch of a new government make this the right time to consider improvements to the local autonomy system that meet the needs of the future era. I ask the National Assembly to actively support constitutional reform for local decentralization and political system reform."