North Jeolla mayors and county governors gather, resolve to expand local government autonomy

【Financial News, Imsil = Reporter Kang In】 The first meeting of the North Jeolla Special Self-Governing Province Council of Mayors and County Governors for the ninth popularly elected term was held in Imsil.
According to Imsil County on the 23rd, the meeting was organized to strengthen solidarity and cooperation among North Jeolla's 14 cities and counties and pursue shared growth in line with the launch of new local governments for the ninth popularly elected term.
Council Chair Hwang In-hong, governor of Muju County, and Imsil County Governor Han Deuk-su, representing the host county, among others, attended.
Newly inaugurated Jeonju Mayor Jo Ji-hoon, Iksan Mayor Choi Jeong-ho, Gunsan Mayor Kim Jae-jun, Namwon Mayor Yang Chung-mo, and Imsil County Governor Han Deuk-su were named to the council.
The meeting featured wide-ranging discussions of 16 regional development initiatives submitted by the respective cities and counties.
Key agenda items included pursuing the designation of North Jeolla as the third financial center; rationally adjusting the provincial funding rate for the province's own welfare-sector programs; expanding autonomy in the operation of agencies and organizational structures directly under local governments; and building a local administration training institute for village and neighborhood heads.
The council plans to submit the items approved that day to central government ministries and the North Jeolla provincial government.
“It is deeply meaningful that, at the first meeting marking the start of the ninth popularly elected term, city and county leaders could candidly discuss the various issues they face and put their heads together to seek practical solutions,” Council Chair Hwang In-hong said. “We will work to ensure that the vivid voices of local communities are genuinely reflected in provincial and national government affairs,” he added.


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