Democratic Party delegations from North Gyeongsang, Gyeonggi provincial assemblies meet in Andong

Democratic Party of Korea delegations from the North Gyeongsang and Gyeonggi provincial assemblies held a meeting Thursday at the North Gyeongsang Provincial Assembly's multipurpose room in Andong.

Attendees from the North Gyeongsang Provincial Assembly included Floor Leader Jeong Suk-gyeong, along with lawmakers Jeong Yong-chae and Jang Eun-ju. The Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly was represented by Floor Leader An Gwang-ryul, Senior Policy Deputy Floor Leader Yu Gyeong-hyeon and Senior Cooperative Governance Deputy Floor Leader Kim Hoe-cheol.

The two sides shared updates on efforts to enact a Local Assembly Act and agreed that its swift passage is needed to strengthen the practical autonomy and policy capacity of local assemblies. They decided to issue a joint statement calling on the National Assembly to pass the legislation.

The lawmakers present agreed to continue expanding policy exchanges and communication between metropolitan assemblies, and to pursue joint efforts to advance local autonomy — including strengthening the independence and expertise of local assemblies.

An Gwang-ryul, floor leader of the Democratic Party caucus in the Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly, said the visit "confirmed a shared understanding of the need to enact the Local Assembly Act and served as a meaningful opportunity to further solidify solidarity and cooperation between metropolitan assemblies."

Jeong Suk-gyeong, floor leader of the Democratic Party caucus in the North Gyeongsang Provincial Assembly, said the Local Assembly Act "is not a matter for any particular party but a task for the advancement of local autonomy," adding that she would "work together across party lines to secure its passage in the National Assembly and actively push to build broader consensus on enacting the Local Assembly Act within the North Gyeongsang Provincial Assembly."