Assemblyman Min Hyung-bae Proposes Bill to Amend Legal Terms from 'Jibang' to 'Jiyeok'

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] Min Hyung-bae, a member of the National Assembly (The Democratic Party of Korea·Gwangju Gwangsan District), announced on the 17th that he had taken the lead in proposing a revision bill on the 16th to change the term ‘jibang’ (local) used in legal terminology to ‘jiyeok’ (region).

The bills proposed this time include ▲Partial Amendment to the Special Act on Local Autonomy Decentralization and Local Administrative System Reform ▲Partial Amendment to the Act on Local Universities and Regional Balanced Talent Development ▲Partial Amendment to the Act on the Establishment and Operation of Local Medical Institutions ▲Partial Amendment to the Government Organization Act, totaling four bills.

The main content of the amendments is to use ‘jiyeok’ (region) instead of ‘jibang’ (local). In the case of the Local Autonomy Decentralization Act, the title was changed to the Regional Autonomy Decentralization Act, and legal terms were also expressed as ‘jiyeok’ (region).

Assemblyman Min stated, “‘Jibang’ (local) is a term that means an organization subordinate to the central government, implying a dependent concept on the center,” and “there is a need to replace it with ‘jiyeok’ (region), which is a horizontal and value-neutral concept.”

He added, “True balanced development begins with efforts to change the consciousness and expressions centered on the central government,” emphasizing, “We will strive for regional decentralization and balanced development through additional legislation that excludes hierarchical structures.”

Meanwhile, according to the National Law Information Center, there are currently a total of 146 laws that use or are scheduled to use the term ‘jibang’ (local) in their titles.

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