Mandatory Briefing Within 90 Days After Business Trip
Ordinance Amendment Passes Committee Review
Institutionalizing Briefings After Study Tour in Japan
“Full Transparency in the Use of Taxpayer Funds”
The Gwangju Buk-gu Council has initiated an amendment to its ordinance that would make resident briefings mandatory after council members return from official overseas business trips. The aim is to enhance the public nature and accountability of such trips and to guarantee residents' right to know.
Members of the Gwangju Buk-gu Council are taking a commemorative photo at the '2025 Overseas Official Business Trip Resident Briefing' held last September.
On October 22, the Buk-gu Council announced that the “Partial Amendment Ordinance Bill on Official Overseas Business Trips by Members of the Gwangju Buk-gu Council,” jointly sponsored by seven council members-Choi Kiyeong, Joo Soonil, Kim Guiseong, Jeong Sangyong, Ki Daeseo, Jeon Miyong, and Son Hyejin-had passed the review of the Council Operations Committee. The core of this amendment is to require that a resident briefing be held within 90 days after the business trip.
Previously, in July, the council members visited Fukuoka, Kitakyushu, and Oita in Japan to study policies related to welfare, sports, and urban regeneration. Upon returning to Korea, they held an “Official Overseas Business Trip Resident Briefing.” At that time, they announced their intention to institutionalize the outcome briefing, and this amendment reflects that commitment in a formal system.
The ordinance bill includes details such as specifying the scope of official overseas business trips and making resident briefings mandatory. Council member Choi Kiyeong stated, “We will transparently disclose the entire process of official overseas business trips funded by residents’ valuable tax money,” adding, “The Buk-gu Council will establish itself as a leading local council.”
The ordinance bill is scheduled to be implemented after a resolution at the plenary session on October 29.
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