Gwangju City's Organizational Restructuring Plan for Administrative Integration Halted by City Council

Review of Administrative Organization and Staffing Ordinances Deferred
Due to Differences Over Prior Consultation and Staff Increase

The organizational restructuring plan promoted by Gwangju City to address the administrative integration of Gwangju and Jeonnam and the relocation of the airport has failed to pass the city council. Differences of opinion over the lack of prior consultation between the executive branch and the city council and the adjustment of the number of public officials have come to the surface.

Gwangju City Council 340.

On January 19, the Gwangju City Council convened its 340th extraordinary session and was scheduled to review and vote on the "Ordinance on Establishment of Administrative Organizations" and the "Ordinance on the Number of Public Officials." However, as the Administrative and Autonomy Committee deferred the review of both ordinances, the plenary session was adjourned without a separate vote.

The ordinance on the establishment of administrative organizations submitted by Gwangju City included the creation of the "Administrative Integration Task Force," which would be responsible for the practical work of promoting integration between Gwangju and Jeonnam, and the "Integrated Airport Future City Headquarters" to respond to the airport relocation. The ordinance on the adjustment of the number of public officials included a plan to increase the number of city officials by 38.

During the review of the restructuring plan, members of the Administrative and Autonomy Committee pointed out that there had been no prior explanation or consultation with the relevant standing committee. They also demanded a commitment from the executive branch to increase the number of city council officials by two to three in preparation for the administrative integration.

Gwangju City reportedly responded to the city council's demand for an increase in its staff by stating that it would monitor the situation regarding the increase in staff at the Jeonnam Provincial Council, which is also subject to the integration, or consider it after the passage of the special integration law. In this process, the differences between the executive branch and the city council were not resolved.

Accordingly, the Administrative and Autonomy Committee decided to defer the vote on the agenda and continue further discussions. The next session is scheduled to be held on February 2.