The Seoul Metropolitan Council has kicked off its 340th regular session today (November 2) for a 52-day run through December 23, during which it will deliberate and vote on a total of 186 agenda items, including administrative audits, questioning of city officials, and the 2027 budget proposals for the Seoul Metropolitan Government and the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education.

The council commenced its official schedule today with an opening ceremony and the first plenary session.

From November 3 to 16, administrative audits will be conducted targeting the Seoul Metropolitan Government and the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education to check the implementation status of major policies and the propriety of budget execution.

Following this, floor leader speeches and questioning on Seoul city administration and educational administration will take place from November 17 to 19.

From November 20 to December 22, standing committees and the Special Committee on Budget and Accounts will review major agenda items, including the city and education office budget proposals for next year. Plenary sessions will be held twice, on December 16 and December 23, to process the submitted agenda items.

Previously, the Seoul Metropolitan Government drew up a budget of KRW 55.7 trillion for next year.

This represents an 8.3 percent increase compared to this year.

During the first plenary session today, the council will handle matters such as determining the schedule of the regular session, electing members to sign the meeting minutes, and adopting a resolution demanding the attendance of the Seoul Mayor and related officials.

It will also address agenda items including a partial amendment ordinance concerning the payment of legislative activity allowances for Seoul Metropolitan Council members and a resolution urging the enactment of the Local Councils Act.

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon and Superintendent of the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education Jung Keun-sik will explain next year's fiscal management directions and major project plans through policy speeches on the 2027 budget proposals and fund operation plan proposals.

In addition, eight council members—five from the Democratic Party of Korea and three from the People Power Party—will deliver five-minute free speeches.

In his opening address, Seoul Metropolitan Council Chairperson Lim Man-gyun emphasized, "This regular session is an important session where the first administrative audits and general budget review of the 12th Seoul Metropolitan Council will take place," adding, "It should be a time to prove ourselves with results rather than words."

Pointing out Seoul's declining population and high housing prices, Chairperson Lim stated, "The housing issue is soon an issue of transportation imbalance," and urged efforts toward balanced development in Seoul, such as expanding public transportation within living zones.

Regarding the review of next year's budget proposal, he noted, "What matters to citizens is not the size of the budget, but its direction," and stated that the council will meticulously examine whether it provides substantial help to small business owners, youth growth, and citizen safety.

As this regular session is held in a council where the Democratic Party holds two-thirds of the total seats, checks and balances surrounding Mayor Oh Se-hoon—who is from the People Power Party—and his major policies and budget allocations are anticipated.

The same goes for the administrative audits.

During the process of reviewing next year's budget proposal, a fierce battle is also likely to unfold between the Seoul Metropolitan Government and the city council over the necessity of major projects and the scale of financial investment.

(Photo: Yonhap News)