Six Gyeonggi Cities Denounce Administrative Autonomy Ministry's Local Finance Reform Legislative Notice

Six cities in Gyeonggi Province—Suwon, Goyang, Seongnam, Yongin, Hwaseong, and Gwacheon—issued a joint statement on the 2nd in opposition to the Administrative Autonomy Ministry's plan to announce legislation for a local finance reform system.

The six cities are "non-receiving" local governments that do not receive local grants because their revenue exceeds their financial needs.

The heads of these municipalities stated in their statement: "The Administrative Autonomy Ministry's Director of Local Finance and Tax Affairs indicated in some reports that 'there are only slight differences in positions among non-receiving bodies, with most opinions converged,' and announced that the local finance reform system legislation would be announced within a short timeframe. We demand the immediate cessation of statements and conduct that mislead the public."

The heads further rejected this, saying: "Although the ministry stated that there are only slight differences in positions among non-receiving bodies and that most opinions are converged, this is a serious misjudgment and merely wishful thinking on the part of the ministry."

They also criticized: "The ministry also stated that 'ruling and opposition party lawmakers understand the overall direction of the local finance reform system,' which is an interpretation that exceeds appropriate bounds and constitutes self-serving interpretation. Presenting this as if opposition party proposals have been incorporated is a ploy to divide the political sphere and non-receiving bodies."

The heads further noted: "The fiscal reform standards have changed four times since the policy announcement, the allocation standards for adjustment grants have changed three times, and statements regarding the outflow of Gyeonggi Province's finances have also been inconsistent."

Finally, the heads emphasized: "The Administrative Autonomy Ministry must postpone policy implementation until a consensus is reached through the National Assembly's agreed-upon table on local finance and decentralization special committee."