On August 18, the Chungcheong Metropolitan Council held an in-depth discussion on the limitations of the current special local government system and the development direction of the Chungcheong Metropolitan Union at a seminar titled "Seeking Directions for System Improvement of Special Local Governments for the Success of the Lee Jaemyung Administration's Balanced Development Policy."
At the seminar, which took place at the National Assembly Members' Office Building, the following issues with the current system were pointed out: limitations in expanding exclusive duties, lack of representation due to the absence of direct elections, administrative organizations centered on dispatched personnel, poor financial foundations, and insufficient legal and institutional mechanisms.
In particular, major challenges in actual operation were identified as the lack of strategies for metropolitan projects, conflicts of interest among local governments, passive participation by the central government, and low political motivation and accountability.
The seminar was co-hosted by National Assembly members Heo Sungmoo, Kim Jeongho, Kim Taenyeon, Kim Youngbae, and Kang Junhyun. Lee Minwon, honorary professor at Gwangju University, served as chair, with presentations by Ahn Kwonwook, former professor at Kosin University, and participation from a variety of panelists and citizens.
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