Gwangju City Council Holds Student Mock Council with Pungyeong Elementary School Students

Two Ordinance Bills on Renewable Energy Passed
Students Experience Local Legislative Process at Gwangju City Council
Pungyeong Elementary School Students Participate in Mock Council Session

Gwangju City Council held the "87th Student Mock Council" on the 21st at 10 a.m. in the main chamber of the City Council, with 19 students from Pungyeong Elementary School participating. Photo by Gwangju City Council

The Gwangju City Council (Chairperson Shin Sujeong) held the "87th Gwangju City Council Student Mock Council" on the morning of the 21st in the main chamber of the City Council, with students from Pungyeong Elementary School participating.

Nineteen students from Pungyeong Elementary School attended the event. Council member Lee Gwisoon welcomed the students to the City Council and offered words of encouragement. The meeting proceeded with two-minute free speeches, followed by the review and voting on ordinance bills. The event provided students with an opportunity to experience the legislative activities of a local council firsthand.

During the "two-minute free speech" session, students addressed topics such as "strengthening crackdowns on illegal dumping of waste" and "expanding the use of electric vehicles." They also introduced and explained two ordinance bills: one for "installing solar energy facilities in Gwangju elementary schools" and another for "expanding the use of renewable energy." After proposal explanations and a Q&A session, the bills were put to an electronic vote and passed.

Jung Gaun, who served as chairperson, said, "Although preparing for the mock council was difficult, it was a very educational experience. Through the mock council, I was able to experience democracy and lay the foundation for achieving bigger dreams in the future."

Meanwhile, since 2005, the Gwangju City Council has been holding student mock councils by receiving recommendations for participating schools from the Gwangju Metropolitan Office of Education. A total of 87 sessions have been held so far, with approximately 8,380 students participating. At the end of the year, the council also plans to hold an awards ceremony for outstanding experience essays written by students who participated in the mock council.