Facing Financial Strain and Expense Controversy, Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly Cancels Overseas Trips for the Year

The Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly is moving to cancel all official overseas trips for its members this year. This decision stems from the province's strained financial situation and a recent controversy surrounding the transparency of public duty travel expenses. Both the ruling and opposition parties have agreed to halt overseas tours and return the allocated budget.

Assembly Speaker Nam Jong-seop stated that while the decision is not yet final, there is a consensus that canceling trips for the remainder of the year is the most appropriate course of action. He emphasized the need to ensure full transparency in the execution of overseas travel funds before resuming such activities. The assembly reportedly believes that incurring significant expenses for international travel is not advisable given Gyeonggi Province's current fiscal condition.

Adding to the decision is the ongoing investigation by the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission into alleged misuse of public duty travel funds, which has been referred to the police. Consequently, the 642 million won allocated for overseas trips this year is expected to be fully rescinded through the second supplementary budget proposal in September. Last year, 467 million won of the 620 million won budget was spent.

The assembly also plans to overhaul its public duty travel system through research and develop new guidelines for implementation starting next year. This move follows similar decisions by other local assemblies; the Busan Metropolitan Council canceled its overseas trips, redirecting 150 million won to public welfare, and the North Chungcheong Provincial Council also decided against overseas travel this year.

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While the decision is not yet final, there is a consensus that canceling trips for the remainder of the year is the most appropriate course of action. It is right to proceed after fully securing the transparency of public duty travel expenses.