Incheon Council Chairman Jung Haekwon Says "Number of Council Members Must Be Increased"

Jung Haekwon, Chairman of the Incheon Metropolitan Council (People Power Party, Yeonsu District 1), proposed a resolution at the 306th extraordinary session of the Administrative and Safety Committee held on the 3rd, calling for an increase in the number of Incheon Metropolitan Council members and for electoral district demarcation that reflects the unique characteristics of island areas.

Chairman Jung pointed out, "Each Incheon city council member is responsible for about 84,000 residents, the highest among the six metropolitan cities, which means that citizens' voting rights and the quality of legislative services are relatively undervalued," adding, "Compared to Ulsan, the value of one vote cast by an Incheon citizen is at about 0.68 of a vote."

Jung Haekwon, Chair of Incheon City Council. Provided by Incheon City Council

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He stressed, "Incheon has seen a net increase of more than 100,000 people over the past four years, and starting this July, a 2-county, 9-district administrative system will be implemented for the first time in 31 years. Therefore, expanding the number of council members is essential to respond to the rapidly growing legislative demand."

In particular, regarding electoral districts in island areas, he said, "The proposed integration of the Ongjin County electoral districts is a uniform approach based solely on population, and there are serious concerns that it will undermine the representativeness of island residents and their right to participate in policymaking," adding, "Rational electoral district demarcation that reflects the unique characteristics of island areas is necessary."

The resolution calls on the government and the National Assembly to fairly adjust the number of metropolitan council members in line with Incheon’s population size and growth trend ahead of the 9th nationwide local elections in June this year, and to guarantee the political representation of residents in island areas.

The Incheon Metropolitan Council plans to hold a resolution rally on the 12th, after the closing of the plenary session of the extraordinary meeting, to publicize both inside and outside the council the need to increase the number of council members and to defend the electoral districts of island areas.

Chairman Jung urged, "Prompt and responsible decisions by the National Assembly and the government are needed so that 3.05 million Incheon citizens can receive administrative services that are free from discrimination compared to residents of other metropolitan cities."

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