Gyeonggi Province Assembly Proposes 'Local Assembly Act' with Independent Audit and Budget Authority

On the 25th, marking the 35th anniversary of the restoration of local assemblies, the Gyeonggi Province Assembly delivered a 'proposal urging the enactment of the Local Assembly Act' to the National Assembly and requested joint efforts to enact the legislation within the year.

On that day, Assembly Speaker Nam Jong-seop (Democratic Party, Yongin District 3), TF director Choi Jong-hyun for promoting the Local Assembly Act, and members Bang Sung-hwan, Lee Young-bong, and Choi Chan-min sequentially met with Kim Young-jin, chairman of the National Assembly's Administration and Safety Committee, followed by National Assembly members Lee Kwang-hee, Shin Jung-hoon, and Kang Deuk-gu, delivering the proposal urging the Local Assembly Act's enactment and the Assembly's draft legislation.

Speaker Nam and the TF thanked the assembly members who have shown interest in local assemblies and contributed to bill proposals and discussion processes, and requested their continued efforts to ensure the Local Assembly Act is enacted within the year.

Subsequently, they met with Yoon Ho-jung, Minister of the Interior and Safety, to explain the necessity of enacting the Local Assembly Act and conveyed the need for the government to provide active attention and support.

The Provincial Assembly previously launched a TF for promoting the Local Assembly Act on July 23rd and prepared its own 'draft Local Assembly Act' (Gyeonggi Province Assembly draft) after reviewing institutional improvement tasks suited to local assembly realities.

The proposal contains the view that since local assemblies serve as one pillar of local autonomy by representing residents' will and overseeing and monitoring the executive branch, an independent legal foundation commensurate with their roles and responsibilities is necessary.

Additionally, the Gyeonggi Province Assembly draft includes institutional improvement measures such as expanding autonomous legislative authority, strengthening organizational autonomy, granting independent audit powers, securing budget compilation independence, and expanding legislative and policy support systems.

Speaker Nam stated, "Thanks to the efforts of assembly members who have directly proposed the Local Assembly Act and consistently shown interest in the National Assembly, the consensus on enacting the Local Assembly Act has become broader than ever," and added, "Representing provincial assemblies nationwide, I express gratitude for your continued interest and efforts."