[Seoul, Now] Should Meetings Between the Seoul Mayor and District Mayors Also Be Made Public?

Council of District Mayors as a Platform for Local Autonomy Development
Limited Effectiveness Due to Passive Participation by Seoul Mayor
Need for Direct Attendance and Consideration of Public Access for Citizens

The live broadcast of the President's Cabinet Meeting was a historic measure first attempted during the 33rd Cabinet Meeting presided over by President Lee Jaemyung on July 29. On that day, the Cabinet Meeting was broadcast live to the public through the KTV channel and YouTube, covering everything from the entrance of the Cabinet members and the introduction of new Cabinet members to the President's opening remarks and in-depth discussions.

President Lee stated that he would pursue a plan to disclose as much of the Cabinet Meeting as possible, without omission or alteration, to expand the public's right to know and ensure transparent governance. He also announced plans to increase both the frequency and scope of public disclosure for Cabinet Meetings concerning socially significant issues in the future, making it a matter worth following closely.

Interest leads to engagement. Interest can develop into concrete action and participation. Those who are interested often feel a sense of responsibility for the outcome. Responsibility and participation drive change and progress. When society or individuals take an interest in an issue, it creates momentum for improvement and reform. Although the people are said to be the true owners of the nation, in reality, they often encounter filtered or distorted information or are excluded from the decision-making process. In this regard, the live broadcast of the President's Cabinet Meeting is a desirable development.

Watching the live broadcast of the Cabinet Meeting, I thought it would also be beneficial to make the meetings of the Seoul District Mayors' Association public. While the meetings of the highest policy deliberative body stipulated by the Constitution and those of the Seoul District Mayors' Association differ in nature, role, and significance, there seems to be no reason not to open public meetings that deal with socially important issues and policies closely related to life in Seoul.

The Seoul District Mayors' Association is a consultative body for cooperation and the development of local autonomy among the mayors of the 25 autonomous districts in Seoul. The association holds regular meetings every two months to enhance communication and cooperation between the Seoul Metropolitan Government and the autonomous districts, coordinate joint issues, and discuss a variety of policies. The participants are the Mayor of Seoul and the 25 district mayors, all of whom are elected through local elections held every four years.

There are other reasons why I believe these meetings should be made public. It is important for citizens to know what opinions and positions were exchanged during meetings where public matters are discussed, as well as who presented which opinions and for what reasons.

Another reason is the low attendance of Seoul Mayor Oh Sehoon, who is a key communication partner for the autonomous districts. Lee Seongheon, the mayor of Seodaemun District, who served as the first chairperson of the eighth popularly elected administration in July 2022, said in a media interview at the time that the District Mayors' Association was created "to achieve more effective results in discussions with the Seoul Mayor." He also conveyed to Mayor Oh Sehoon the idea of holding a mayors' meeting once a month and actively utilizing online video conferences. However, I have not heard that this was actually implemented afterward.

From the perspective of autonomous districts, which have much to coordinate and seek cooperation on with the Seoul Metropolitan Government, there are many issues they would like to discuss directly with the mayor. There is a clear difference between having the mayor attend, listen, and exchange opinions in person and having the vice mayor attend as a proxy. During the eighth popularly elected administration, Mayor Oh and the district mayors discussed follow-up measures after the Itaewon disaster through the District Mayors' Association meeting and participated in a joint declaration on sound fiscal management to overcome the crisis of declining tax revenues. When social anxiety peaked due to a series of stabbing rampages, they also gathered to discuss ways to ensure citizens' safety. Nevertheless, holding such meetings only once or twice a year is clearly insufficient.

"The authority of district mayors is so limited that the term 'local autonomy' is almost meaningless." "There are so many things we cannot do without the consent of the Seoul Metropolitan Government." "We have made numerous proposals and suggestions, but have not received any response, positive or negative." These are remarks I have often heard as a reporter. Three-quarters of the eighth popularly elected administration's term has now passed. It would be beneficial to share visions and strategies that can be shared and to establish a system for doing so.