Daegu City Council completes leadership lineup for first half of 10th term

The Daegu City Council completed its 10th-term leadership structure during the 326th extraordinary session, electing all six standing committee chairs over Tuesday and Wednesday, following a speaker election held Monday.

In Monday's speaker election, lawmaker Lim In-hwan (Jung-gu 1) was chosen as the new speaker, while lawmakers Lee Tae-son (Dalseo-gu 4) and Kim Jae-yong (Buk-gu 5) were elected deputy speakers.

On Tuesday, five standing committee chairs were chosen: Ryu Jong-u (Buk-gu 1) for the Planning and Administration Committee, Lee Jae-suk (Dong-gu 4) for the Culture and Welfare Committee, Park Jong-pil (Suseong-gu 4) for the Economy and Environment Committee, Kim Tae-u (Suseong-gu 5) for the Construction and Transportation Committee, and Lee Seong-o (Suseong-gu 3) for the Education Committee.

All five chairs secured a majority in the first round of voting.

On Wednesday, Ha Jung-hwan (Dalseong-gun 1) was elected chair of the Council Operations Committee, completing the full leadership slate.

Ha, a two-term People Power Party lawmaker, said in his acceptance remarks that he would "do his utmost to build a trusted council grounded in smooth operations, communication and cooperation."

Ryu, also a two-term PPP lawmaker elected to lead the Planning and Administration Committee, pledged to "repay the trust placed in me with a sense of responsibility, and commit to substantive legislative work for all, based on communication and cooperation. From here on, I will keep my eyes fixed solely on Daegu and its citizens."

Lee Jae-suk, the newly elected Culture and Welfare Committee chair and a two-term PPP lawmaker, said she would "do her best through communication and cooperation so that culture and welfare can be felt more closely under the 10th council."

Park Jong-pil, elected to chair the Economy and Environment Committee, said the panel would "pursue harmony and open communication," adding that he would "work tirelessly through communication and cooperation to invigorate the local economy and create a pleasant environment."

Kim Tae-u, the new Construction and Transportation Committee chair, vowed to "do his utmost through communication and cooperation to build a safe and convenient urban and transportation environment."

Lee Seong-o, elected to lead the Education Committee, said he would "do his best to create an educational environment that prepares for the future and to engage students, parents and school staff alike in his legislative work."

With its first-half leadership structure now fully in place, the Daegu City Council is set to launch its legislative activities in earnest with the 327th extraordinary session, beginning July 21.