Nam Jong-seop (Yongin-3) of the Democratic Party of Korea was elected chair of the first half of the 12th Gyeonggi Provincial Council on July 7.

The Gyeonggi Provincial Council held the first plenary session of its 392nd extraordinary session on the same day, conducting the chair election via secret ballot with all 167 incumbent members in attendance.

As the sole candidate, Nam was elected chair with 165 votes in favor and 2 against.

"I feel both immense honor and a heavy sense of responsibility to stand in this position, which oversees the largest local council in the country," Nam said in his acceptance speech. "I will ensure the enactment of a Local Council Act to enhance the independence and accountability of local councils, and I will center all systems, including council organization and operations, on supporting the legislative activities of our members."

Acknowledging the current composition of the council—144 seats for the Democratic Party, 22 for the People Power Party, and 1 for the Rebuilding Korea Party out of 167 total seats—he emphasized, "The majority party must embrace others with greater responsibility, and the voices of the minority party must be fully respected. I will not be a chair for one specific party, but a chair for all members."

Following the chair election, the Democratic Party also secured both vice-chair positions.

Ko Eun-jung (Goyang-10) was elected as the first vice-chair with 165 votes in favor and 2 against.

In the election for the second vice-chair, Kim Mi-sook (Gunpo-3) of the Democratic Party and Keum Jong-rye (Proportional Representation) of the People Power Party competed. Kim won with 142 votes, defeating Keum, who received 24 votes. There was one abstention.

Prior to this, the Democratic Party and the People Power Party had been in conflict over the allocation of the two vice-chair seats.

The Democratic Party maintained that since it holds approximately 90% of the total seats, it should take both the chair and the two vice-chair positions, while the People Power Party had demanded one vice-chair seat based on customary practice.

Before the extraordinary session began that day, members of the People Power Party held banners and placards reading, "The second vice-chair position belongs to the opposition party" and "Democratic Party, practice cooperative governance," and issued a statement.

"Having the opposition party hold the second vice-chair position is a long-standing custom in our politics, including the National Assembly; it is a minimum principle for protecting democracy and a matter of trust between parties to realize a council for the people," they stated. "Starting with today's opening ceremony, the Democratic Party must recognize the People Power Party, as a negotiating body, as a partner in council operations."

The Gyeonggi Provincial Council is scheduled to appoint members and elect chairs for each standing committee on July 14, and to appoint members and elect chairs for special committees on July 22, the date of the third plenary session.

Following the extraordinary session, the opening ceremony for the 12th Provincial Council was held, attended by Gyeonggi Province Governor Choo Mi-ae and Gyeonggi Provincial Office of Education Superintendent An Min-seok.

"The 9th elected Gyeonggi provincial government began with a debt exceeding 7 trillion won, and at this very moment, massive interest is accumulating, and the speed of debt growth is very fast," Governor Choo said in her congratulatory remarks. "I am confident that when the provincial council and the provincial government look toward the same goal—the lives of the residents—and pool our wisdom, we can turn this into a turning point for a new leap forward for Gyeonggi Province, despite the difficult financial conditions."

Superintendent An said, "Education is a powerful force that changes the world. I ask for your valuable insights and affectionate suggestions for the great transformation of Gyeonggi education."

(Photo: Yonhap News)