Mayor Lee Jae-jun of Suwon: "Let's Realize Decentralized Constitutional Amendment and Move Toward the Path of Advanced Nations"

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Jung Jun-sung] Suwon Special Metropolitan City Mayor Lee Jae-jun said, "Let's realize a decentralized constitutional amendment and move toward the path of advanced nations."

Mayor Lee participated in the 'Policy Forum for the Development of Local Autonomy and Decentralization' held on the 17th at Suwon Convention Center, commemorating the 30th anniversary of civilian local governance for Suwon City. He stated, "To promote a decentralized constitutional amendment, we must sufficiently obtain the understanding of citizens and, furthermore, the nation's consensus," and added, "When local government leaders from across the country gather to discuss decentralized constitutional amendment and the entire nation engages in this discussion process, the people's opinions will be well reflected in the constitutional amendment proposal." He further urged, "Let's unite our efforts so we can move forward as a decentralized nation."

The policy forum held under the theme of 'Thirty Years of Local Autonomy, Now Toward Decentralized Constitutional Amendment' was co-hosted by Suwon City and the Suwon City Autonomous Decentralization Council and organized by the Korean Local Autonomy Association. The forum proceeded with keynote presentations by Professor Kim Su-yeon from Jeju National University and Research Fellow Park Jin-woo from the Suwon City Policy Research Institute, followed by comprehensive discussion.

Professor Kim Su-yeon from the School of Law at Jeju National University, who presented on 'Thirty Years of Local Autonomy: Constitutional Tasks for the Present and Future of Regions,' stated, "Decentralization is a global trend, and local decentralization and balanced development are essential tasks for stable national governance," and emphasized, "The core element that must be included in any constitutional amendment is the strengthening of local autonomy."

Research Fellow Park Jin-woo from the Suwon City Policy Research Institute, who presented on 'The History of Decentralization and Its Implications for Civic Movements,' said, "The direction of civic movements for decentralization should become a two-track strategy that improves the institutional foundation and enhances perceived efficacy," and noted, "We must continuously present alternatives to ensure that institutional reform does not drift adrift, and work to establish awareness that decentralization can lead to changes in people's lives."

The comprehensive discussion, chaired by Goo Gyun-chul, Chairman of the Suwon City Autonomous Decentralization Council and Professor at Kyonggi University, included the participation of Professor Emeritus Woo Myung-dong from Sungshin Women's University, Kim Young-gyun, member of the Suwon City Autonomous Decentralization Council, Yoon Tae-woong, Senior Research Fellow of the Korea Association of Mayors and Governors, and Oh Sang-do, reporter at Segye Ilbo.