Local Councils in North Chungcheong Province Return Overseas Trip Budgets Amid Financial Woes

A wave of self-reflection is spreading through local councils in South Korea, prompting a reconsideration of overseas study trips often criticized as mere tourism. In North Chungcheong province, both the provincial council and various city and county assemblies have opted to cancel their international excursions for the year, citing financial constraints and deciding to return the associated budgets.

The Cheongju City Council announced on the 13th that it would cancel its overseas trip and return 168 million won. Choi Jin-ah, spokesperson for the council, stated, "After deliberation among members, we decided not to undertake overseas trips this year. While there are advantages to strengthening members' capabilities through international travel, we considered the financial difficulties."

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While there are advantages to strengthening members' capabilities through international travel, we considered the financial difficulties.

Similarly, the North Chungcheong Provincial Council had already decided to cancel its overseas trips, returning 170 million won. Lee Sang-sik, the council chairman, explained, "As the new assembly has only recently begun, it is difficult to meticulously prepare for study trips. Considering the financial situation, we decided against it this year."

Across North Chungcheong, all 12 provincial and local councils, including those in Jincheon, Goesan, Eumseong, and others, have abandoned their overseas travel plans. Some councils, like Eumseong County Council, have not conducted overseas trips since 2017, while others, such as Chungju City Council and Danyang County Council, are continuing a tradition of not allocating budgets for such trips in the first year of their terms, which coincide with local elections.

This trend extends beyond North Chungcheong. The Gyeonggi Provincial Council decided not to go on overseas trips, returning 642 million won, and the Daejeon City Council is returning 85 million won. The Busan Metropolitan Council and South Gyeongsang Provincial Council are also planning to forgo these trips, as are the Hwaseong County Council in Gangwon and the Jung-gu District Council in Daejeon. The Sejong City Council is still discussing the matter. However, the North Jeolla Provincial Council's plan for a trip to Japan in October has sparked debate.

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As the new assembly has only recently begun, it is difficult to meticulously prepare for study trips. Considering the financial situation, we decided against it this year.

Analysts suggest that tight local government finances, coupled with increased scrutiny from central government bodies like the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, the Board of Audit and Inspection, and the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission, have contributed to this shift. The Ministry of the Interior and Safety issued revised guidelines last November for local council overseas travel, emphasizing requirements such as visiting one institution per day, pre-disclosing travel plans, post-trip reviews, public disclosure of overseas travel reviews, and the formation of objective review committees.

Kim Hye-ran, secretary-general of the Chungbuk Citizens' Coalition for Participatory Government, commented, "It is desirable to establish a principle of not undertaking overseas trips in the first and last years of a local council's term, as these periods are less than six months and preparation is difficult. It is also important to establish procedures and processes for meticulous planning of why and what to learn, and thorough verification and review after the trip. Trips for leisure and tourism must be completely eliminated."

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It is desirable to establish a principle of not undertaking overseas trips in the first and last years of a local council's term, as these periods are less than six months and preparation is difficult. It is also important to establish procedures and processes for meticulous planning of why and what to learn, and thorough verification and review after the trip. Trips for leisure and tourism must be completely eliminated.