Dongducheon City Council criticized for ordinance giving weight to secret 'discussion meetings'

The Dongducheon City Council in Gyeonggi Province is facing renewed criticism, this time for a new ordinance that appears to grant significant influence to informal, closed-door "discussion meetings." This follows earlier controversy surrounding alleged "collusion" in the election of the council's speaker.

Citizen groups, including the Gyeonggi Northern Peace Citizens' Action and the Dongducheon Local Autonomy Administration Watch Group, are protesting Article 11 of the council's ordinance on discussion meetings. This article states that "matters decided at discussion meetings shall have the effect of the council's opinion." Critics argue this is problematic because these meetings are not open to the public, lack official minutes, and are not subject to the same transparency as formal council sessions.

These groups are demanding the immediate revision or deletion of the ordinance, asserting that citizens should not be relegated to mere spectators. They contend that while it is acceptable for council members to review proposals with the executive branch beforehand, decisions made in secret should not be treated as official council opinions without public deliberation.

The council recently held its first discussion meeting, addressing six agenda items including revisions to a low birth rate and aging society ordinance, a private management contract for a public swimming pool, and plans for a pet theme park. Items requiring a formal vote will be deliberated during the upcoming 347th extraordinary session from July 15 to 24. The council's leadership is already grappling with regaining public trust following the speaker election controversy.