Chunwoo Lee, Chairman of the Operation Committee of the North Gyeongsang Provincial Council (People Power Party, Yeongcheon 1), was elected as president alongside the chairman of the Seoul Metropolitan Council's Operation Committee at the 9th regular meeting of the Council of Operation Committee Chairpersons of Korean Provincial and Metropolitan Councils, held in Taebaek, Gangwon Province on August 21.
Newly appointed President Chunwoo Lee has served three terms as a member of the Yeongcheon City Council, holding the positions of Operation Committee Chair and Industry and Construction Committee Chair twice each. As a two-term member of the 11th and 12th North Gyeongsang Provincial Councils, he has demonstrated outstanding leadership by serving as Chair of the Planning and Economic Committee in the first half of the 12th council and being elected as Chair of the Operation Committee in the latter half, a record that sets him apart.
Furthermore, he is recognized as the right person to lead the Council of Operation Committee Chairpersons dynamically, thanks to the insight he has gained through over 20 years of legislative activities spanning administration, economy, culture, environment, and industry. He is expected to present a clear vision and direction, enabling the council to make tangible contributions to the development of local autonomy.
In his inaugural address, President Lee stated, "I will strive to build a council that lives up to the trust and support entrusted to me as the representative of Korea's provincial and metropolitan operation committee chairpersons. In particular, I will seek ways to strengthen the independence and expertise of local councils, including the enactment of the Local Council Act-a long-standing aspiration of local legislatures-as well as securing autonomous organizational and budgetary rights and expanding the recruitment of policy support staff."
He further expressed his ambition, saying, "I will do my utmost to make the council a vibrant forum for lively exchange and discussion, where operation committee chairpersons from across the country can share diverse perspectives and rich experiences, thereby making a real contribution to the advancement of local autonomy."
Since its establishment in 1991 through the collaboration of operation committee chairpersons from 17 provincial and metropolitan councils, the Council of Operation Committee Chairpersons of Korean Provincial and Metropolitan Councils has played a central role in the development of local autonomy and local legislatures by thoroughly discussing common national issues, deriving joint policy tasks, and making recommendations to the central government.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
