On April 3 and 4, Gyeonggi Province hosted‘Forum for Coexistence and Cooperation with Cities and Counties’

Five groups discuss ‘coexistence and cooperation’ including solutions for conflicts pertaining to public crematorium

Two groups exchange thoughts on ‘budgetary collaboration with opposition party’ and improvements for fiscal system between province, cities, and counties

◇ On April 3, Governor Nam poses for a photo with Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly Chairman Kang Deuk-gu, mayors, county governors, and other participants of the two-day ‘Forum for Coexistence and Cooperation with Cities and Counties’ held at the Ansan Expert Training Institute. ⓒ Gyeonggi G-News Yoo Je-hoon

Gyeonggi Province secured a stepping stone for cooperation with the opposition party in budget planning and the implementation of budget cooperation with the 31 cities and counties of the province as well as solutions for conflicts between cities.

On April 3, Gyeonggi Province hosted the two-day Forum for Coexistence and Cooperation with Cities and Counties at the Expert Training Institute on Daebu Island, Ansan City.

More than 80 officials participated in the forum, including Governor Nam Kyung-pil as well as senior provincial government officials, Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly Chairman Kang Deuk-gu, members of the provincial assembly related to the province-provincial assembly financial strategy meeting, mayors, and county governors.

On the first day of the forum, Gyeonggi Province announced its plans for a number of topics including: solutions to resolve conflicts between cities and counties, financial management plans, and strategies for energy policy. Following a presentation by the province, some participants were divided into five groups for the topic ‘coexistence and cooperation’ to discuss solutions to conflicts between cities and counties, while others were also divided into two groups for the topic ‘cooperation with the opposition party for budget planning’ to discuss improvement plans for the fiscal system between cities and counties.

At the forum, Governor Nam Kyung-pil said, “The leaders of Gyeonggi Province, including mayors, county governors, and members of the provincial assembly who were selected by the citizens, are all gathered here today. During their meetings, the participants will discuss how to use our budget efficiently under the supervision of the provincial assembly.” He also added, “The essence of politics is to find appropriate solutions to conflicts. This forum is an opportunity for us to find solutions for conflicts between different districts.”

Governor Nam continued: “Gyeonggi Province has become the first to start cooperating with the opposition party with regards to planning the provincial budget. I believe the entire country will follow suit in the future. In Germany, governors have an annual meeting every year to ensure that the central government does not make unilateral decisions and to delegate authority to local governments through discussion. We must share the authority that was entrusted to us by the citizens with each other and find a way to coexist efficiently.”

◇ Governor Nam continued: “Gyeonggi Province has become the first to start cooperating with the opposition party with regards to planning the provincial budget. I believe the entire country will follow suit in the future. We must share the authority that was entrusted to us by the citizens with each other and find a way to coexist efficiently.” ⓒ Gyeonggi G-News Yoo Je-hoon

Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly Chairman Kang Deuk-gu stated, “Gyeonggi Province’s efforts to cooperate with the opposition party is the zeitgeist that offers assistance and hope to the people of Gyeonggi Province through communication and cooperation. Although there are those who fear cooperation with the opposition party serves a political agenda, we believe that Governor Nam’s decision to sacrifice authority over budget planning and human resources was for the best. As this is the first forum attended by the province, provincial assembly, cities, and counties, I expect us to find strategies for our future and vision.”

Suwon Mayor Yeom Tae-young (Chairman of the National Association of Mayors) said, “We must work together to achieve our goal of coexisting efficiently in Gyeonggi Province and satisfying our citizens, regardless of potential advantages or disadvantages for the political party that each person supports. Today is a historic moment. Through discussion and cooperation between the province, cities, and counties, we can successfully govern our province.”

On the same day, Gyeonggi Province’s Planning and Cooperation Assistant Governor Hwang Seong-tae explained the systematic characteristics of the province’s finances and his plans to innovate the budget. In his presentation, Assistant Governor Hwang announced that the provincial assembly will work with the cities, counties, and citizens with regards to budget planning. He also mentioned that the timeline for drafting the budget will change from August to April, and they will analyze business outcomes to eliminate projects that are similar, repetitive, or inefficient.

Assistant Governor Hwang specifically highlighted that the province plans to implement comprehensive adjustment and to accept different opinions through the Financial Strategy Meeting, an affiliated body under the Gyeonggi Province Executive Committee for cooperation with the opposition party.

In the next discussion session for ‘Coexistence and Cooperation’, the fifteen cities and counties involved in five conflicts including a public crematorium in Hwaseong, the release of water source protection areas, adjustment of the border between the cities of Suwon and Yongin, the Yongin bicycle path, and solutions to eliminate odors as well as the expansion of the waste disposal facility in Dongducheon City.

Regarding the Hwaseong Public Crematorium, Hwaseong City Mayor Chae In-suk said, “We need to be honest about the source of this conflict and where it lies. If there is any fault to be found, we must take responsibility for that. This forum must be where we can say everything.” Suwon City Deputy Mayor Lee Jae-joon also added, “The conflict over the crematorium is not a simple matter. Not only systematic problems but also emotional disputes could occur when going ahead with a business project.”

The Hwaseong Public Crematorium – which will be built on Mountain No. 5 of 12, Sukgok 1-ri, Maesong-myeon, Hwaseong City – is a comprehensive public funeral facility that will be constructed on site of 364,000㎡, with a building area of 13,858㎡. Investing a budget of KRW 121.2 billion, five self-governing bodies including Hwaseong, Bucheon, Ansan, Gwangmyeong, and Siheung will participate in this project.

However, the conflict between districts is growing as residents in the western Suwon area including Homaesil – located only a few kilometers away from the site – are opposing the crematorium because they fear it may negatively impact their residential environment.

◇ Participants were divided into five groups for the topic ‘coexistence and cooperation’ and 2 groups for the topic ‘cooperation with the opposition party for budget planning’ to discuss their opinions. ⓒ Gyeonggi G-News Yoo Je-hoon

In the discussion for ‘cooperation with the opposition party for budget planning’, 16 cities and counties participated to exchange their opinions on improving the fiscal system between the central government and local government, in addition to improving the fiscal system between the province, cities and counties. Members of the provincial assembly also expressed their thoughts in the discussion.

Governor Nam and Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly Chairman Kang visited each discussion group and participated in discussions.

The forum was made possible by Governor Nam’s proposal at the New Year Meeting of mayors and county governors on January 21. Governor Nam suggested that a continuous communication and cooperation system between the province, cities, and counties, as well as between the province and the provincial assembly, must be developed in order to resolve current issues that occur between the province, cities, and counties

During the aforementioned meeting, Governor Nam proposed that he“would like to invite the 31 mayors and county governors, as well as other relevant officials, to a two-day forum to discuss possible solutions for our policies and budgets.” 

On the second day of the forum, Governor Nam listened to suggestions from the 31 city mayors and county governors, and personally commented on the review results. Governor Nam also announced the adjustment plan for the conflicts between cities and counties, as well as the discussion results regarding the budget.

ⓒ Gyeonggi G-News |Cheon Kyeong-nam ckn0403@kg21.net