Gyeongju council speaker vows 'citizen-centered' assembly built on trust

"The reason the council exists is, ultimately, the citizens. Listening closely to their voices and translating them into policy and legislative action — that is what I believe is the Gyeongju City Council's most important duty."

Im Hwal, speaker of the Gyeongju City Council, made the remarks in an interview Friday, adding that the 10th Gyeongju City Council must reinvent itself as a policy-driven assembly that brings real change to residents' lives, not merely an institution that processes agenda items.

Im identified three core directions for the council's legislative work: an "outreach council" that goes to the people, a "listening and communicating council," and a "policy council grounded in expertise and accountability."

"Gyeongju council members are working to adopt a more humble posture — going directly to communities, hearing residents' voices firsthand and reflecting a wide range of opinions in policy," he said. "Through that, I will build a council that looks in the same direction as its citizens."

Im also named communication with residents as a central priority. "True local self-governance begins with citizen participation," he said. "I will open the door to dialogue wide so that diverse opinions and wisdom from all walks of life can be heard, and I will build a council where those opinions lead to policy."

He underscored the need to strengthen the council's expertise and policy capacity. "I will reinforce lawmakers' legislative and policy-development capabilities and establish a culture of research within the council," he said. "Rather than stopping at after-the-fact criticism, we will engage actively from the policy-planning stage and propose alternatives that genuinely help residents."

On the council's relationship with the city administration, Im stressed the importance of balancing oversight with cooperation. "The council and the administration have different roles, but they share a common goal — the happiness of citizens and the development of Gyeongju," he said. "We will exercise necessary checks clearly, cooperate on matters that serve residents, and rigorously scrutinize budgets and policies so that taxpayers' money is not wasted."

Im listed population decline, youth outmigration, revitalizing the local economy and securing future growth engines as the key challenges facing Gyeongju. "Creating an environment where young people want to stay and raise children is the path to strengthening the city's competitiveness," he said. "I will continuously develop policies that organically connect education, housing, culture and employment."

He also presented internal harmony and communication within the council as an important task. "All 22 council members — including six from the Democratic Party of Korea — may differ in party affiliation and district, but the goal of working for citizens and for Gyeongju's future is one," Im said. "On the basis of humility and mutual respect, I will communicate fully and work toward reasonable conclusions."

In closing, Im said the Gyeongju City Council must always stand by its citizens and speak for their voices. "I will pool the strength and wisdom of my fellow council members so that, through responsible legislative activity that meets citizens' expectations, this council will be remembered as one that grows with its people and earns their trust," he said.