Changwon City Council's Legislative Training Ends Up 'Half-Hearted' as All Democratic Party Members Boycott

Chairman Son Taehwa: "Boycotting the Training Is an Act of Shirking One's Duty as a Representative of the Citizens"
Democratic Party: "No Apology for Chairman's Unilateral Actions, Concerns Over Recreational Activities Remain"

All Democratic Party city council members have boycotted the legislative training session organized by the Changwon Special City Council in Gyeongnam, leading to criticism that the session is a "half-hearted training marred by end-of-term conflict."

The city council is holding the legislative training from November 3 to November 5 at Courtyard by Marriott Suwon in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province.

The training is designed to strengthen practical competencies in preparation for the 2nd regular session and consists of programs and education on techniques for budget review, methods for analyzing budgets and settlements using artificial intelligence (AI), and how to use the Local Finance Integrated Public Disclosure System (Local Finance 365).

Of the 45 Changwon city council members, all 3 members from the People Power Party and all 18 members from the Democratic Party are absent, leaving only 24 People Power Party members in attendance.

Chairman Son Taehwa strongly criticized this, stating, "Absenting oneself from the training without a justifiable reason is an act of shirking one's duty as a representative of the citizens."

A legislative training session is being held in preparation for the 2nd regular meeting of Changwon City Council in Gyeongnam. Provided by Changwon City Council

Previously, on October 22, the Democratic Party city council group held a press conference at the city hall press center, expressing dissatisfaction with Chairman Son's management of the council and declaring their intention to boycott the legislative training.

The group criticized the decision to reject a personal statement request by a party member during the city council plenary session, calling it "an abuse of decision-making authority and a loss of fairness."

They also argued that referring a complaint, sent by the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission to the council regarding a specific member, to the Ethics Committee without a personal interview or fact-checking "deprived the member of their right to defend themselves."

Chairman Son responded, "Since I took office, all eight disciplinary requests submitted have been reported and referred to the plenary session in accordance with the same procedures for everyone, without exception," adding, "Everything has been conducted in strict accordance with laws and ordinances, and nothing has been done arbitrarily."

He further explained, "In the plenary session of the temporary meeting last September, the concerned member made a personal statement regarding the disciplinary agenda, and then requested another procedural statement at the October temporary meeting. As the content was similar to the previous statement, I did not allow it. The right to defend oneself is not relevant to the proceedings, so I did not grant speaking rights."

Chairman Son pointed out, "Refusing to participate in the training for political reasons, despite there being no procedural violations or abuse of authority, is irresponsible as a council member."

He added, "The members boycotting this training have expressed their intention to do so for two consecutive years over disciplinary issues. Last year, they demanded a change in the composition of the Ethics Committee in relation to disciplinary discussions about a specific member. This year, they raised an issue with the reporting of a disciplinary request from the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission to the plenary session. Both matters are outside the chairman's authority, yet they notified their absence when told so. Such actions undermine parliamentary democracy."

The Democratic Party side reportedly decided to boycott after demanding an apology from the chairman for his management of the council, which he refused to offer.

There has also been criticism that the training schedule includes inappropriate activities such as visits to the Suwon City Integrated Urban Safety Center, a tour of the Starfield Suwon 'Byeolmadang Library,' an exploration of Hwaseong Haenggung Palace and traditional archery experience, and a visit to the Samsung Innovation Museum, which are seen as recreational outings.

It was also pointed out that nearly 64 million won was allocated for two legislative training sessions, including a one-day session held at the Jinhae Yi Sun-sin Leadership International Center in Changwon on May 2.

Kim Myojeong, the Democratic Party floor leader, stated, "Last September, the overseas training for the council was criticized as a graduation trip, and next week, some members are going on another overseas business trip. Is it really appropriate to hold this event under the pretext of end-of-term legislative training? If the purpose is to study before the regular session, members can participate in programs inside the plenary hall. I question why it is necessary to spend so much money on hotels and restaurants outside the city."