Haenam County Council Urges 'Three Key Legislative Measures' to Address Regional Extinction

The Haenam County Council has called for the swift enactment of laws related to residents’ councils, village communities, and the social solidarity economy in order to address the risk of regional extinction and realize resident-led autonomy.

At the 348th second regular session held on the 26th, the council adopted a statement proposed by Assemblyman Seo Haekeun, pointing out, “Although more than 30 years have passed since the revival of local autonomy, there is still a lack of institutional foundation for residents to demonstrate their capabilities as key stakeholders in the region.”

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The statement diagnosed that outmigration due to industrialization and concentration in the capital area have undermined the living foundations of rural areas and small cities, leading to a complex crisis that includes the weakening of community spirit, widening regional disparities, and increased social isolation.

It also criticized that although the government and local authorities have implemented various policies to restore village communities, they have failed to move beyond a top-down, administration-centered approach. In particular, it pointed out that the legal basis for residents’ councils was weakened during the full revision of the Local Autonomy Act in 2020, which has limited the realization of sustainable resident autonomy.

The council urged the government and the National Assembly to enact three key legislative measures to address these issues: specifying regulations on residents’ councils in the Local Autonomy Act; enacting a Basic Act on the Revitalization of Village Communities; and enacting a Basic Act on the Social Solidarity Economy.

The statement emphasized, “These three systems are only effective when they are organically connected,” adding, “Residents’ councils should provide a structure for democratic decision-making, village communities should serve as a foundation for resident participation, and the social solidarity economy should play a role in strengthening the sustainability of the local economy.”

The council stated, “Ultimately, the future of the region depends on its residents,” and added, “The true starting point of local autonomy is when residents take the lead in organizing their villages and developing the local economy.”