Seoul Metropolitan Council Chair Im Man-gyun outlines work priorities — Korea Herald
In Seoul, South Korea, Im Man-gyun became the youngest chair of the Seoul Metropolitan Council and the first representative of Gwanak-gu to hold the position. He won a June 29 vote contested by six candidates and said he intends to focus on reforming and renewing the council's work, Korea Herald reports.
Im Man-gyun leads the 118-member city council. He is a councilor representing Gwanak-gu's third electoral district and is serving his third term as a member of the Democratic Party of Korea. His plans include expanding public participation, increasing the council's openness and creating conditions in which councilors can fully focus on legislative work.
Economy, safety and youth policy
The council chair named economic recovery for ordinary residents, public safety and youth policy as the three main areas of focus. He plans to examine whether support for small businesses and the self-employed produces tangible results, as well as whether programs for traditional markets and local commercial streets meet the needs of districts.
In the area of safety, Im Man-gyun proposes shifting the emphasis from responding to accidents to preventing them. The council should assess whether relevant projects and budget spending help identify and reduce risks in advance. He wants to expand youth policy beyond employment and housing to include marriage and asset building, as well as strengthen direct dialogue with young people.
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Oversight and cooperation with the administration
The new chair promised to strengthen internal communication among councilors from different parties and districts. According to him, differences should be resolved through discussion, while decisions that have been adopted should be respected by all council members.
In relations with the city administration, Im Man-gyun said he intends to combine oversight with cooperation on matters that serve the public interest. During previous terms, including as chair of the 11th-term Committee on Environment and Water Resources, he reviewed key city projects. These included the Han River Bus project, for which the councilor examined viability and operational plans and summoned officials connected to the project as witnesses during administrative audits.
Im Man-gyun also named strengthening the institutional independence and professionalism of local councils as a separate priority. He supports the adoption of a special law on local councils that would comprehensively define their operating procedures and powers.
