Let's work together to ensure the Special Exceptional City Support Special Act clarifies the legal status and financial authority of exceptional cities

[Suwon Ilbo = Reporter Jung Jun-sung, Choi Ki-ho, Lee Soo-won] The 'National Assembly policy forum for the establishment of the Special Exceptional City Support Special Act' was held on the 14th at the National Assembly Library auditorium, where in-depth discussions took place regarding the establishment of the Special Exceptional City Support Special Act and the development direction of exceptional cities.

The forum, co-hosted by National Assembly members from exceptional cities and organized by the Korea Association of Exceptional City Mayors (Representative Chairman Suwon Mayor Lee Jae-jun) and the Korean Society for Local Governance (Chairman Bae Gwi-hee), was attended by approximately 300 participants including National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik, National Assembly members from four exceptional cities and Hwaseong City, mayors and city council chairs from Suwon, Goyang, Yongin, and Changwon exceptional cities, and academic experts.

At this forum, Suwon Exceptional City Mayor Lee Jae-jun, Yongin Exceptional City Mayor Lee Sang-il, Goyang Exceptional City Mayor Lee Dong-hwan, Changwon Exceptional City Mayor Hong Nam-pyo, and Hwaseong Mayor Jung Myung-keun, along with local assembly members and public officials from each region, spoke in unison about the necessity of transferring administrative affairs and financial authority suited to the reality of exceptional cities.

Suwon Exceptional City Mayor Lee Jae-jun said in his welcoming remarks, "On the 11th, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety announced the legislative notice for the 'Special Exceptional City Support Special Act,'" and "I hope you will work with us to ensure that content that transfers at least part of financial authority to exceptional cities is included in the Special Exceptional City Support Special Act."

He continued, "I hope that the establishment of the Special Exceptional City Support Special Act and the amendment to the Local Autonomy Act will be carried out simultaneously so that the legal status of exceptional cities is clearly stipulated," and "I will work hard together with the mayors of exceptional cities and National Assembly members to ensure the completion of the Special Exceptional City Support Special Act."

Yongin Exceptional City Mayor Lee Sang-il said, "The Ministry of the Interior and Safety has announced the legislative plan for the 'Special Exceptional City Support Special Act,' and while the preparation of the legislation is very meaningful, the position is that insufficient aspects should be addressed," adding "If we have so far emphasized the necessity of enacting a special act, now we should deliberate and process the government bill that has been prepared so that we can establish a framework for the development of exceptional cities."

He continued, "If the mayors of the four exceptional cities and Hwaseong City, which is ahead of its elevation to exceptional city status, along with National Assembly members from each region and citizens, join forces together, the 'Special Exceptional City Support Special Act' will be born in a better form than the currently announced legislative notice."

Hwaseong Mayor Jung Myung-keun said in his welcoming remarks, "Through the efforts of the four exceptional cities so far, we are on the brink of the Special Exceptional City Support Special Act," and "As the youngest exceptional city, Hwaseong will work to discover exceptional city affairs suited to our regional characteristics, such as the lifting of green belt restrictions and the establishment of metropolitan transportation, and to make efforts toward substantial transfer of authority for the better lives of citizens."

He continued, "I believe that creating a proper exceptional city is itself raising the competitiveness of the nation," and "I hope that discussions like today's will serve as a foundation for the development of exceptional cities for the nation's sustained growth."

The Special Exceptional City Support Special Act announced in legislative notice by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety is composed of 10 articles including 'establishment of basic plans' (Article 6), 'administrative exceptions for exceptional cities' (Article 8 and attached table), and 'special support for exceptional cities' (Article 10). It stipulates the establishment of a five-year basic plan and annual implementation plans to systematically support and promote regional development. Additionally, exceptions stipulated in the 'Act on Balanced Development of Local Autonomy and Decentralization' and other laws are transferred to the special act, and new exceptions are stipulated. There is also a legal basis for administrative and financial support from the heads of central administrative agencies to exceptional cities.

Choi Hwan-yong, Research Fellow at the Korean Legislation Research Institute, presenting on the topic of 'securing legal status of exceptional cities and transfer of affairs,' emphasized "The essential reason for placing the exceptional city system in the Local Autonomy Act is the efficiency of administration," and "Bold transfer of affairs to exceptional cities is necessary."

He continued, "Each exceptional city should discover transferred affairs suited to the characteristics of that city and work to institutionalize them," and "It is the responsibility of exceptional cities to substantively demonstrate why such affairs are necessary as exceptional city matters."

Kim Hung-joo, Principal Research Fellow at the Daejeon-Sejong Research Institute, presenting on 'Strengthening financial exceptions for exceptional cities,' said "Financial autonomy, transfer of affairs suited to the designation of exceptional cities, and corresponding financial exceptions are necessary," and "Financial exceptions must incorporate the opinions of metropolitan autonomous entities, exceptional cities, and basic local governments excluding exceptional cities."

Jung Ji-hoon, Research Fellow at the Korean Council of Large City Research Institutes, presenting on 'Research on the establishment of the Special Exceptional City Support Special Act,' presented three key directions for the 'Special Exceptional City Support Special Act' as △establishing grounds for negotiation with metropolitan provinces △setting exceptional authority △avoiding controversial legislative provisions.

Panel discussions involving experts from all walks of life also followed.

The forum, chaired by Professor Park Ki-gwan from Sangji University, a member of the Special Committee on the Era of Local Autonomy, was attended by ▲Professor Kim Chan-dong from Chungnam National University ▲Professor Ra Hwi-moon from Sungkyul University ▲Park Jae-hee from the Korean Institute of Local Administration ▲Park Jin-woo from the Suwon City Research Institute ▲Yeo Jung-hyup, Director of the Local Autonomy and Decentralization Division at the Ministry of the Interior and Safety ▲Professor Lee Hyang-su from Konkuk University ▲Jeon Sung-hun from the Goyang City Research Institute ▲Professor Choi Yeon-tae from Kyungnam University, who presented opinions on institutional support measures for balanced development of Korea and the development of exceptional cities.