Dalseong County Council's committee abolition sparks local criticism

A coalition of Daegu civic groups has strongly condemned the Dalseong County Council's decision to abolish its standing committees, calling the move a betrayal of local autonomy and democratic principles.

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Dalseong County Council members of the People Power Party must immediately restore the abolition of standing committees and present concrete measures for communication and cooperation.

Protesters gathered outside the Dalseong County Council on Tuesday, demanding the immediate reinstatement of the committees. They argued that standing committees are essential for the professional and in-depth review of complex administrative matters and serve as a crucial check on the executive branch. Abolishing them, they stated, amounts to abandoning the council's fundamental role.

The civic groups, including the Daegu Citizens' Coalition for Economic Justice and Daegu Participation Forum, criticized the ruling People Power Party for unilaterally pushing the decision through without adequate public consultation or agreement from other parties. They asserted that such actions undermine the spirit of local governance and democracy, urging the council to prioritize the voices of the county residents over partisan interests.

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The unilateral push and passage of the standing committee abolition by the People Power Party members is an unprecedented event. Standing committees are core bodies that professionally and deeply review complex administration and monitor the executive branch. Abolishing them is no different from abandoning the council's inherent roles and functions.

The Dalseong County Council, composed of seven People Power Party members and five Democratic Party members, voted to eliminate all three standing committees, the Steering Committee, the Health and Welfare Committee, and the Economic Construction Committee, on Monday. The vote occurred during a plenary session where Democratic Party members were absent in protest. The proposal was reportedly brought to the floor under the speaker's authority without prior public notice.

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The act of unilaterally handling such an important matter without public opinion gathering or sufficient agreement with other party members undermines the basic spirit of local autonomy and democracy. The Dalseong County Council must move beyond factional logic or party interests and regain its original form as a local council that truly represents the voices of the county residents and checks county administration.