North Gyeongsang provincial council speaker urges quick passage of local council law

Kim Hee-soo, speaker of the North Gyeongsang Provincial Council, attended a press conference at the National Assembly's press briefing hall on Wednesday. He urged the swift enactment of a "local council law" to secure genuine independence and autonomy for local councils.

The press conference, organized by the Korea Association of Metropolitan and Provincial Council Speakers, brought together council speakers and steering committee chairs from across the country.

Kim read out the press statement, stressing the need to expand the number of policy support officers and secure more flexibility in personnel management. He also called for strengthening the independence of local councils in organizational and budget operations.

Following the reading of the statement, attendees held a hand-picket performance calling for the local council law to be enacted within the year.

"The local council law must be enacted swiftly so that local councils can strengthen their independence and expertise, faithfully reflect residents' voices in policy, and properly carry out their role of checking and monitoring administrative bodies," Kim said.