Muan County Councilor Yang Young-bok has raised concerns about the long tenures of village heads, who serve as a vital link between residents and local government, and is calling for reforms to the system. He also emphasized the need to enhance the representation and identity of the senior association.
During a five-minute speech at the second session of the 311th Muan County Council's first regular meeting on September 21, Yang urged the administration to implement reasonable improvements to the terms of village heads and the criteria for senior association leaders.
The key issue Yang highlighted was how to balance the sustainability of village governance with generational change.
Yang pointed out that while village heads are responsible for various local matters, including administrative tasks and the management of community assets, the current regulations allow for unlimited reappointments despite a two-year term. He noted that there is a case in Muan County where a village head has served for 26 years since 2001.
While Yang acknowledged the benefits of long tenures, such as administrative understanding and stability, he warned that excessively long terms could lead to stagnation in decision-making and hinder new residents' participation and leadership transitions.
To address this, Yang proposed maintaining the two-year term but limiting reappointments to four, ensuring that the total tenure does not exceed ten years. He cited examples from other regions, such as Sunchang County, which has a three-year term with one reappointment, and Ganghwa County, which allows for two reappointments within a two-year term, stressing the need for Muan to establish reasonable standards that reflect local realities.
Yang also emphasized the importance of gathering input from the village head council and residents during the reform process, rather than imposing unilateral standards. He suggested creating a mentoring system to connect outgoing village heads with their successors to foster the next generation of community leaders.
Additionally, Yang addressed the criteria for senior association leaders, noting that there have been instances of individuals under 65 years old holding leadership positions, despite the association's purpose of representing and advocating for seniors.
He called for a review of the eligibility criteria, proposing that only individuals aged 65 and older should hold leadership roles in the senior association. Yang urged Muan County to engage in thorough discussions with the senior association to revise its regulations accordingly.
Yang viewed both the lack of term limits for village heads and the senior association's eligibility criteria as gaps in the system. He warned that delays in reform could limit the vitality of village governance and the representation of seniors.
Yang stated, "When seniors are respected and their voices are genuinely reflected in community operations and policies, the welfare and community spirit of Muan County can become warmer and healthier. I urge the administration to promptly pursue reasonable improvements to the village head system and revise the criteria for senior association leaders to enhance community vitality and improve the rights and quality of life for seniors."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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