'Local Autonomy Hall' Opens in Sejong...Serving as Bridge Between Central and Local Governments

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Jang Kyung-hee] The opening ceremony of the 'Local Autonomy Hall,' which will serve as a bridge for smooth communication and cooperation between the central government and local governments, was held on the 9th in Sejong City.

The event was attended by approximately 100 people, including Minister of the Interior and Safety Jin Young, Chairperson of the Decentralization Committee Kim Soon-eun, Chairperson of the National Balanced Development Committee Song Jae-ho, Gwon Young-jin, President of the Association of Mayors and Governors (Mayor of Daegu), Deputy Governor Lee Hwa-soon of Gyeonggi Province, and other central government officials and the heads of 17 cities and provinces.

The Local Autonomy Hall began when the heads of the 17 cities and provinces agreed on the need to establish a local autonomy hall for smooth communication and cooperation with the central government. Following the establishment of the basis for the location and construction of the Local Autonomy Hall in the bylaws of the Association of Mayors and Governors in February 2016, the groundbreaking ceremony was held in December 2017, and the building was completed in April of this year.

The opening ceremony on this day proceeded with the following schedule: ▲ Progress report on the project ▲ Unveiling of the nameplate and commemorative photo ▲ Harmony soil tree-planting ceremony to promote unity among the 17 cities and provinces ▲ Tour of the hall facilities and luncheon discussion.

Minister Jin Young said in a congratulatory address, "I sincerely celebrate the opening of the Local Autonomy Hall, which will serve as a bridge between the central and local governments. Major issues facing our society, such as low birth rates and aging populations, and economic revitalization, are difficult to solve through the efforts of the central government alone." He continued, "Through groundbreaking decentralization of central government authority to enhance autonomous capacity and activate resident autonomy, the central and local governments must come together, combining their strength and wisdom to overcome these challenges."

Governor Lee Jae-myung of Gyeonggi Province said regarding the opening of the hall, "I would like to place significance in the fact that a space has been created for organic cooperation and communication between the central and local governments," and expressed, "It is expected that the Local Autonomy Hall will serve as a bridge so that local autonomy and decentralization can become further mature and developed."

Currently, 16 cities and provinces, excluding Sejong City, are located in the Local Autonomy Hall.