Gyeonggi Province’s Legislative Revolution: How New Local Council Law Will Empower Citizens

Kim Jin-kyung, Chair of the Gyeonggi Provincial Council, has pledged to spearhead the establishment of the “Local Council Act” to foster the maturation of local governance.

On the 10th, Kim attended a strategic academic seminar held in the council’s main conference room. The event focused on enacting the Local Council Act and exploring avenues for local council development. During the seminar, Kim stressed the critical need to bolster the independence and expertise of local councils.

The seminar was jointly organized by the council’s negotiating bodies: the Democratic Party of Korea (led by Representative Choi Jong-hyun) and the People Power Party (led by Representative Baek Hyun-jong). The Gyeongin Administrative Society managed the event, with support from the Korea Local Administration Research Institute. This bipartisan gathering was widely regarded as a collaborative effort to assess the challenges facing local councils and identify practical solutions for their advancement.

In his keynote address, Kim emphasized that establishing the Local Council Act is a vital step towards fully realizing grassroots democracy. He argued for the necessity of clearly defining the role and scope of responsibilities for local councils within the legal framework.

Kim specifically highlighted the current predicament where local councils often function as mere administrative appendages, advocating for substantial reforms to address this issue.

He asserted that local councils have evolved into proactive entities capable of effecting real change in residents’ lives. Given their expanded roles, Kim stressed the urgent need for independent budgetary authority, organizational rights, and audit powers. He also emphasized the importance of building a professional workforce to support these enhanced capabilities.

Drawing a parallel with the National Assembly Act, Kim underscored the necessity of a corresponding Local Council Act for local legislative bodies. He concluded by affirming the Gyeonggi Provincial Council’s commitment to taking a leading role in paving the way for the enactment of this crucial legislation.