National Association of Mayors and District Governors: "We Will Take Active Steps to Overcome the Crisis Facing Local Governments"

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Kang Han-seo] The National Association of Mayors and District Governors (Chairman Mayor Yeom Tae-young of Suwon City) stated on the 11th that "226 local governments currently diagnose the situation as a 'crisis in local autonomy'" and "will take active steps to open a true era of local autonomy centered on the people."

The association held a press conference at the Korea Press Center in Seoul, expressing concern that "local governments continue to be marginalized in policy decision-making processes directly related to the interests of local governments, including fiscal decentralization, local police systems, and educational autonomy," and announced 'Five Declarations for Local Governments to Overcome the Crisis.'

In the declaration titled 'The Foundation of the Republic of Korea is in Crisis,' the association urged, "The complete revision of the Local Autonomy Act must be passed promptly," and called on the political community to "go beyond partisan interests and support the development of local autonomy."

The association further stated, "Fiscal decentralization must be pursued jointly by local governments according to the 'subsidiarity principle,'" and emphasized, "The central government, metropolitan governments, and local governments must clearly recognize that they are not in a 'vertical hierarchical relationship' but rather in a 'horizontal cooperative relationship.'"

It also declared that it would achieve a 'welfare grand compromise' through public discussion and actively respond to the crisis of 'regional extinction.' In addition, it pledged to achieve a 'decentralization-oriented constitutional amendment' together with the people.

The association stated, "We will hold nationwide roundtable discussions to hear the difficulties of each region and find alternatives together with citizens," adding, "We will strongly request that the central government and the political community accept the five declarations."

Meanwhile, the National Association of Mayors and District Governors held the first co-chair meeting of the second year of the 7th popular election at the same venue prior to the press conference, where it elected officers and discussed pending issues.

Mayor Yeom Tae-young said in the meeting, "In the second year of the 7th popular election, the National Association of Mayors and District Governors will do its best to serve properly as an outpost for local autonomy," and added, "We will join forces with the heads of local governments to strengthen the status of local governments."

Suwon City proposed 'Amendment to the Local Finance Act to Establish a Financial Consultation System Between Metropolitan and Local Governments' at the meeting. The content includes improving the system to prevent unilateral auxiliary business promotion by metropolitan governments that restricts the financial autonomy of local governments and causes financial deterioration, and to ensure efficient management of local finances.

Mayor Yeom Tae-young was elected as chairman at the fourth co-chair meeting of the 7th popular election National Association of Mayors and District Governors held on the 12th. He was also elected as chairman of the Welfare Grand Compromise Special Committee under the association, which was launched on the 4th.