9th Hwasun County Council Concludes 279th Extraordinary Session, Marking End of Four-Year Term

The 279th Hwasun County Council Extraordinary Session 2nd Plenary Meeting and Closing Ceremony Scene. Courtesy of Hwasun County

The 9th Hwasun County Council concluded its four-year official term on March 27 with the end of the 2nd plenary session of the 279th Extraordinary Session.

During this session, which opened on March 16, the council reviewed and approved a total of 17 agenda items, including the 2026 1st supplementary budget bill, ordinance bills, and general proposals. Additionally, one recommendation was adopted.

At the 2nd plenary session held on this day, 16 agenda items, including an ordinance bill supporting the installation of ramps for people with disabilities and other mobility-impaired individuals, were passed as originally drafted. One ordinance bill related to the management and operation of symbolic items was passed with amendments.

The 1st supplementary budget bill was approved with amendments after thorough review by each standing committee and the Special Committee on Budget and Accounts. As a result, 70 million won in the general account expenditure budget, originally allocated for the Hwasun Nak-Hwa-Nori Festival, was reduced after an assessment of the project's urgency and feasibility.

Additionally, the council adopted a recommendation urging the government to provide national funding for a health impact survey of residents in areas affected by abandoned coal mines, jointly proposed by Assemblywoman Kim Jisook and nine other council members. This reflected concerns about the health issues facing local residents following mine closures.

Through the recommendation, the council strongly urged the government to expand the health impact survey of residents in areas with abandoned coal mines to a full-scale investigation with national funding, and to establish a comprehensive epidemiological survey and long-term health management system based on the results.

In a five-minute free speech on this day, Assemblyman Kang Jaehong emphasized the importance of continuity in administration so that Hwasun’s innovative policies—such as affordable rental housing and the creation of a multicultural team, which have become sources of local pride—do not lose momentum as the council term comes to an end. He requested that public officials do their utmost in their roles until the very end so that the carefully planted seeds may bear abundant fruit during the 9th popularly elected administration.

He also expressed his respect for the dedication of Hwasun County Governor Koo Bokgyu.

In his closing remarks, Council Chair Oh Hyungyeol stated, "At the heart of every journey of the 9th council were the lives of our citizens and the future of Hwasun," adding, "Even amid the recent economic downturn and soaring prices, I am deeply grateful to the citizens for their mature civic awareness and for cooperating with measures such as the five-day rotation driving system despite the inconveniences in daily life."

Meanwhile, with the conclusion of the 279th Extraordinary Session, the 9th Hwasun County Council ended its official schedule, leaving the approved agenda items as the foundation for future regional policy initiatives and completing its role as a bridge for the incoming 9th popularly elected administration.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.