Gyeonggi Province, Provincial Council Launch 'Ruling-Opposition-Government Cooperation Committee' to Address Livelihoods and Fiscal Crisis

Gyeonggi Province and the Gyeonggi Provincial Council are activating a cooperative governance framework to overcome the fiscal crisis and address issues affecting residents' livelihoods.

On November 2, Gyeonggi Province and the Gyeonggi Provincial Council held a launch ceremony for the "Ruling-Opposition-Government Cooperation Committee" at Yedamchae in the provincial council building. They signed an agreement pledging to work together on the basis of mutual respect and trust to deliver tangible results for residents. Attendees included Gyeonggi Province Governor Choo Mi-ae, Provincial Council Speaker Nam Jongseop, and the floor leaders of the ruling and opposition parties.

The formation of the committee gained momentum after Speaker Nam proposed it on October 27 and Governor Choo responded the following day. The committee is significant because it establishes an institutional framework for communication and cooperation between Gyeonggi Province and the provincial council as they jointly address the fiscal crisis and issues affecting residents' livelihoods.

At the launch ceremony, Governor Choo said, "Communication begins with listening to one another's thoughts and difficulties, and cooperative governance means finding solutions together based on that understanding. I hope Gyeonggi Province and the provincial council will meet frequently and discuss matters thoroughly to bring about the changes residents need."

She added, "Gyeonggi Province's fiscal situation is extremely difficult, and that is precisely why the ruling and opposition parties and the province must join forces to protect residents' livelihoods. I will listen more carefully to council members, speak candidly about the challenges facing the provincial administration, and seek their wisdom."

Governor Choo singled out securing funding for essential livelihood programs as an urgent priority. She stressed, "We need to join forces on everything from securing budget funding to reforming the local tax system and obtaining national government funding. If each party, the Gyeonggi Provincial Council, and Gyeonggi Province make a joint appeal to the central government and the National Assembly, we can bring about tangible change."

Choo Mi-ae, governor of Gyeonggi Province (second from left), poses for a commemorative photo on the 2nd after launching a cooperation committee with the ruling and opposition parties and the provincial government at the Gyeonggi Provincial Council. Photo courtesy of Gyeonggi Province.

Speaker Nam said, "Gyeonggi Province has taken joint responsibility for the provincial administration by operating bodies for cooperation and communication between the province and the council. I hope the newly launched Cooperation Committee will build on that experience and demonstrate the power of collaboration to help overcome the challenges facing Gyeonggi Province."

Ruling-Opposition-Government Cooperation Committee is a consultative body intended to strengthen advance communication between the executive branch and the council on major provincial issues, budget planning, and efforts to resolve issues affecting residents' livelihoods. The Gyeonggi Province governor, the speaker of the Gyeonggi Provincial Council, and the floor leaders of the Democratic Party of Korea and the People Power Party serve as co-chairs. The committee will hold regular meetings four times a year, once per quarter, and may convene special meetings as needed after consultation when major policy issues arise.

With the Cooperation Committee launching ahead of deliberations on the 2027 main budget proposal, Gyeonggi Province expects it to deliver tangible results in securing funding for essential livelihood programs and coordinating major policy issues.

Meanwhile, before the launch ceremony that day, Governor Choo had lunch with Speaker Nam and Vice Speakers Go Eunjeong and Kim Misuk. She also continued her efforts to communicate with the council, holding successive meetings with Democratic Party of Korea floor leader An Gwangryul and his delegation, and People Power Party floor leader Bang Seonghwan and his delegation.

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