The provincial government and the new provincial council have agreed to establish a standing committee to coordinate government policy. This comes as the council gains new authority. Here’s Mike Laidman with a report on what local officials are claiming is a new era in cooperation between these branches of government.
The island's 11th provincial council begins this month. It seeks to propose institutionalized governance alongside the provincial office.

Governor Won Heeryong accepted the proposal and the first step for government was put in place.

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Province, provincial council issue joint declaration

The province and provincial council released a joint declaration seeking better cooperation, and agreed to establish a standing committee for better governance.

Recording
Won Heeryong / Governor
Even if there are conflicts because of different political backgrounds, we need to cooperate with the provincial council to better serve Jeju residents.
<녹취:원희룡 제주특별자치도지사>
"소속 정당 또는 정치 기반을 달리하는 경우에는 도민들을 중심으로 해서 서로의 역할을 잘해나가기 위해서 도민의 뜻을 살펴서 협력관계를 더 잘 구축할 필요가 있다고 생각합니다.”

The joint declaration mentions three different areas where the two groups would seek better cooperation.

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First, the two announced that they will support decentralization by the constitutional amendment and reformation of the local autonomous system in order to enhance the value of the island’s autonomy.

Second, authority over the structural and personnel affairs of the Jeju Provincial Council will be fully transferred to the council as soon as possible. This long-awaited transfer will be defined by laws.

And lastly, the council will cooperate with the provincial office for reasonable and efficient administration.
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Checks and balances will reinforce council’s independence

The provincial council's independence will be promoted to equal status with the administration to serve as a checks and balances measure.

Recording
Kim Tae-seok / Chair, Jeju Provincial Council
This is the nation's first case of a local council having authority over structural and personnel affairs, and it’s because of the governor's decision. I deeply appreciate it.
<녹취:김태석 제주특별자치도의회 의장>
"지방의회가 인사의 조직 및 자율권을 행사하는 것은 전국 최초의 사례로 보고있고 이 것은 원희룡 도지사의 통 큰 결단에 이어진 거다. 그런면에서 진심으로 감사의 말씀을 드립니다"

So that the two parties can fully realize this agreement, they will try to establish the standing committee for governance as soon as possible.

Recording
Won Heeryong / Governor
I believe that the standing committee will help us cooperate more closely and better integrate the functions of each organization for the benefit of residents, instead of happening via the infrequent policy council.
<녹취:원희룡 제주특별자치도지사>
"간헐적으로 열리는 의회, 정책협의회라는 한계 그리고 의사진행 방식의 한계를 뛰어넘어서 우리가 함께 도민들을 위한 여러가지 현안들이나 양 기관의 견해에 대해서 훨씬 더 협력적이고 통합적인 기능을 해나갈 수 있을거라고 생각하고요..."

[Reporter] Mike Laidman
[Camera] Hyeon Gwang-hoon

Hopes around the island are being raised for the actual realization of better joint governance between the local government and council, and not just another hollow statement.

Mike Laidman, KCTV