"Responsible Council Management, Recognition for Effective Policy and Legislative Activities"
Kim Kyuchan, Chairman of the Uiryeong County Council in South Gyeongsang Province, recently received the Grand Prize for Best Performance in the Basic Council category at the "2025 Korea Local Autonomy Evaluation Legislative Policy Awards" ceremony held at the National Assembly. Chairman Kim, a six-term local councilor, has led the overall operations of the Uiryeong County Council as the chairperson for both the first and second halves of the 9th council.
The award, received on December 19, was organized by the Yeouido Policy Research Institute and comprehensively evaluated legislative enactment and amendment, budget and administrative audits, collection of residents’ opinions, transparency and accountability in legislative activities, and political leadership.
Chairman Kim Kyuchan of Uiryeong County Council receives the Grand Prize for Best Policy in the 2025 Korea Local Autonomy Evaluation. Provided by Uiryeong County Council
This year, in particular, the evaluation process was strengthened to focus more on actual legislative achievements rather than formal document submissions, with detailed reviews of questionnaires, evaluation reports, and supporting materials. This adds significance to Chairman Kim’s award, as it recognizes tangible, verified legislative work rather than mere formalities.
Chairman Kim adopted the slogan "One Step Closer to the People, a Communicative Council," live-streamed council meetings on YouTube, and institutionalized the collection of residents’ opinions prior to administrative audits, thereby creating a structure in which residents can directly participate in and monitor legislative activities. The weekly "Attendance Day Meetings," where all council members share major issues, is also regarded as an example of enhancing accountability and transparency in council operations.
In legislative activities, Chairman Kim aimed for changes that residents could truly feel. He proposed ordinances such as the "Ordinance on Entrustment and Delegation of Uiryeong County’s Public Affairs to Public Institutions," the "Ordinance on Supporting Night Tourism Promotion in Uiryeong County," the "Ordinance on Preventing Digital Sex Crimes and Supporting Victims in Uiryeong County," and the "Ordinance on Commemorating Birth Day." These legislative achievements, which encompass public interest, safety, and responses to regional extinction, appear to have been major scoring factors in this evaluation.
Chairman Kim also stood out for presenting mid- to long-term strategies through free speeches. He stepped down from the chairman’s seat to directly propose the creation of a "Smart Convergence Sports Center" and measures to improve conditions for stay-type tourism and residential living. He set balanced development between the eastern and western regions, a vibrant city both day and night, and a child-friendly city as policy directions for Uiryeong. These statements are seen as playing a role in shaping the county’s future vision and urging its implementation.
Chairman Kim Kyuchan stated, "This award is not a personal achievement, but the result of the trust and support of the residents of Uiryeong County who have worked together with the council," adding, "I will continue to aim to be a local councilor who identifies problems in residents’ lives and resolves them through ordinances and policies."
He further expressed, "Going forward, I will prioritize substance over form and action over words, working together with residents to realize the full potential of local autonomy."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
