Forum tackles challenges, revitalization steps after residents' council legislation
'We will build genuine resident self-governance'
Rep. Lee Hoon-gi of the Democratic Party of Korea (Incheon Namdong-eul, National Assembly Science, ICT, Broadcasting and Communications Committee) held a forum titled "Challenges and Revitalization Measures After the Legislation of Residents' Autonomy Councils" at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on Tuesday. The forum discussed follow-up tasks to help residents' autonomy councils take root and thrive on the ground ahead of the amended Local Autonomy Act's implementation in October.
The forum was jointly hosted by Lee and fellow Democratic Party of Korea lawmakers Min Byeong-deok, Oh Gi-hyeong, Lee Jeong-mun, Lee Hae-sik, Jeon Jin-suk, Jeong Il-young and Heo Jong-sik. Moon Byung-hyo, head of the Korean Association of Local Autonomy Law, chaired the session, while Chung Ju-yung, a researcher at the Korea Law Information Institute, gave the keynote presentation.
Panelists included Bang Dong-hee, a professor at Yonsei University Law School; Kim Jeong-heon, a researcher at the Korea Institute for Local Autonomy and Citizens' Research; Kim Min-jae, standing executive director of the Korea Residents' Autonomy Federation; Ryu Jun-mo, director of the Self-Governing Legislation Support Division at the Ministry of Government; and Kim Hae, director of the Resident Autonomy Innovation Division at the Ministry of Interior and Safety.
Residents' autonomy councils have operated as pilot projects for 13 years since 2013. Without a clear legal basis, however, their operations and levels of support have varied widely depending on local governments' commitment and regional conditions -- a problem that has drawn ongoing criticism.
Lee sponsored a bill last year to write the establishment and operation of residents' autonomy councils into the Local Autonomy Act. The revised law passed the National Assembly's plenary session on March 31, was promulgated on April 14, and is set to take effect Oct. 15.
With the revised Local Autonomy Act taking effect, residents' autonomy councils will move beyond 13 years of pilot operation and become legally recognized bodies for resident self-governance. The law establishes a legal basis for administrative and financial support from the state and local governments. It also allows some local government functions to be delegated to the councils.
In his keynote address, Chung outlined the significance of the legislation and laid out follow-up tasks needed for the councils to take root on the ground, including stable fiscal and personnel support and system designs tailored to local conditions.
In addition, about 10 members of the Namdong-gu Residents' Autonomy Council in Incheon attended the forum, sharing their on-the-ground perspectives and hearing experts' recommendations directly.
"Now that we have ended 13 years of pilot projects and laid the legal foundation for residents' autonomy councils, it is the task of the National Assembly and the government to make them work properly on the ground," Lee said. "I will make sure the voices raised on Tuesday are reflected in the Ministry of Interior and Safety's follow-up system and in local government ordinances, so that budgets, personnel and authority are genuinely backed up and residents' autonomy and representation can be realized."
The Ministry of Interior and Safety plans to pursue follow-up policies after the legislation, including distributing reference ordinances to local governments to expand the councils' functions, spreading best practices, and drawing up a comprehensive plan for resident self-governance within the year.
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