Lim Seonghwa of Gwangju Seo-gu Council: "Enhancing Residents' Rights, Supporting Public Interest Litigation"

Lim Seonghwa, a member of the Gwangju Seo-gu Council (representing Gwangcheon-dong, Yudeok-dong, Chipyeong-dong, Sangmu 1-dong, and Dongcheon-dong), announced on July 2 that the "Ordinance on Supporting Public Interest Litigation in Seo-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City," which she proposed during the 331st 1st regular session, was passed in its original form.

Sung-Hwa Lim, Gwangju Seo-gu Council Member. Provided by the office of Council Member Sung-Hwa Lim

As a result, it is now possible to support public interest litigation that protects and promotes residents' rights by guaranteeing residents' right to trial and ultimately bringing unreasonable or unfair matters into public discussion.

The "Ordinance on Supporting Public Interest Litigation in Seo-gu," which was proposed to provide financial support for legal actions aimed at protecting and remedying residents' rights, mainly consists of: ▲ eligibility for support ▲ details and procedures for supporting public interest litigation costs ▲ the establishment and operation of the Public Interest Litigation Support Committee ▲ obligations to maintain confidentiality.

Lim stated, "Public interest litigation is significant not only for advancing various residents' rights such as human rights and environmental issues, but also for guaranteeing the 'right to trial' stipulated in the Constitution." She added, "Since Korea adopts the 'loser pays' principle without exception, there has been ongoing discussion about the need to ease this rule."

She further remarked, "Through the enactment of this ordinance, we will be able to provide even stronger protection for residents' rights. Going forward, Seo-gu will actively seek and implement policies necessary for its development as a human rights-oriented city."

Currently, ordinances related to "support for public interest litigation" have been enacted in only eight locations nationwide. With the passage of this ordinance in Seo-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City has become the only metropolitan city in the country where both the city and all five autonomous districts can support public interest litigation based on ordinances.