Pohang City Council wraps up 334th regular session, handles 28 agenda items

The Pohang City Council in North Gyeongsang Province held the third plenary session of its 334th first regular session on Friday, processing 28 agenda items and concluding a 19-day legislative schedule.

During the five-minute open-floor remarks, six lawmakers presented proposals addressing local issues.

Lawmaker Kim Jae-won called for the relocation of the aging Yonghung-dong administrative welfare center and the construction of a new multipurpose building, while Lawmaker An Myeong-ae proposed an organizational restructuring to improve the management of cultural heritage and local festival operations.

Lawmaker Kim Sang-min called for a re-examination of the biomass power plant project's economic viability, environmental impact and public benefit, and urged public disclosure of the rationale behind the sale of the project site. Lawmaker Lee Jin-won called for clear accountability in managing lifestyle infrastructure — including sewage pipelines in the Jigok complex — and the establishment of a rational cost-sharing plan.

Lawmaker An Dae-cheon urged the drafting of a comprehensive balanced-development plan for the city's northern and southern districts, while Lawmaker Jeong Won-seok called for a mid- to long-term strategy to ensure the stable operation of the Pohang International Exhibition and Convention Center, set to open in 2027.

At the committee level, the Budget and Accounts Special Committee approved the fiscal year 2025 final accounts, contingency expenditures and fund settlement.

The Personnel Hearing Special Committee adopted a "qualified" opinion for the candidate for chairman of the Pohang City Facilities Management Corporation.

Each standing committee adopted administrative audit result reports and reviewed relevant ordinance bills and consent motions under its jurisdiction.

The full council also adopted a statement urging the city to conduct a thorough investigation and implement measures to prevent a recurrence of allegations that documents were leaked during the process of lawmakers requesting materials.

Council Speaker Kim Cheol-su said the city should faithfully incorporate issues raised during the administrative audit into the following year's budget planning and municipal operations. "Let the city, the council and the community join forces to secure national funding for 2027 to ensure the smooth progress of major projects, including the construction of the Yeongil Bay Crossing Bridge and the development of the Homibando National Marine Ecological Park," Kim said.

The 335th extraordinary session is scheduled to run for eight days from Nov. 13 to Nov. 20, during which site visits for initial budget review and ordinance deliberations are expected to take place.