Possibility of Defections Among Council Members
Civic Groups to Hold Banner-Linking Event
The Daegu Metropolitan Council will convene the Planning and Administration Committee on the morning of September 8 to review the "Ordinance Bill to Abolish the Ordinance on Commemorative Projects for President Park Chunghee."
In May last year, during the tenure of former Mayor Hong Joonpyo, the city of Daegu enacted the "Park Chunghee Commemorative Project Ordinance," and in December of the same year, a statue was erected at the Dongdaegu Station Plaza. In response, civic groups collected signatures from over 14,000 Daegu citizens and submitted a petition to abolish the ordinance on Park Chunghee commemorative projects.
The Planning and Administration Committee of the Daegu Metropolitan Council is expected to deliberate on whether to abolish the ordinance on this day, and after a vote by the six committee members, including the chairperson, the result will be forwarded to the plenary session. An official from the Daegu Metropolitan Council explained, "Given the current composition of the committee, with one member from the Democratic Party and five from the People Power Party, opposition to abolishing the ordinance is expected to prevail. However, unlike other agenda items, a resident-petitioned ordinance bill is submitted to the plenary session regardless of the standing committee's opinion."
This ordinance bill is scheduled for final review at the plenary session on September 12, following the deliberation by the Planning and Administration Committee on September 8. Considering that among the 33 council members, 32 are from the People Power Party and only one is from the Democratic Party, it is virtually impossible for the Park Chunghee commemorative project ordinance to be abolished as demanded by the civic groups.
However, some anticipate that there could be defections among People Power Party council members, with abstentions or votes in favor of abolishing the ordinance potentially emerging.
Local political circles believe that while most People Power Party council members in Daegu generally support the construction of the statue, some may raise objections due to several factors: the fact that former Mayor Hong Joonpyo, who is currently facing criticism, spearheaded the project; concerns that Dongdaegu Station Plaza is not an appropriate location for the statue; and claims that the Park Chunghee statue at Dongdaegu Station resembles Hong Joonpyo more than Park Chunghee.
Meanwhile, civic groups in Daegu are preparing to hold a press conference in front of the Daegu Metropolitan Council at 10 a.m. on September 8 to urge the abolition of the ordinance. These groups stated, "Although the 'Ordinance Bill to Abolish the Park Chunghee Commemorative Project Support Ordinance,' which was initiated with the signatures of over 14,000 Daegu citizens, was proposed in May, the Daegu Metropolitan Council has delayed its handling until now, only recently finalizing the schedule for deliberation and voting. The Planning and Administration Committee merely held a formal hearing for and against the bill, without guaranteeing the legitimate right to speak for the representative of the petitioners."
The Daegu civic groups also announced, "We plan to hold a press conference calling for the abolition of the Park Chunghee Commemorative Project Support Ordinance, conduct a citizen filibuster, and organize a banner-linking event at the city council."
Meanwhile, the Daegu Metropolitan Council has yet to announce an official position regarding the abolition of the Park Chunghee commemorative project ordinance.
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