Gyeongju City Council Speaker Im Hwal (right) and Deputy Speaker Choi Jae-pil. [Gyeongju City Council]
Gyeongju City Council Speaker Im Hwal (right) and Deputy Speaker Choi Jae-pil. [Gyeongju City Council]

The Gyeongju City Council in North Gyeongsang Province held the first plenary session of its 298th extraordinary session Monday, electing People Power Party lawmaker Im Hwal as speaker and Choi Jae-pil as deputy speaker for the first half of the 10th council term.

Both Im and Choi each received 14 votes in a ballot in which all 22 council members participated.

In his acceptance remarks, Im pledged to do his utmost as speaker to ensure the 10th Gyeongju City Council — composed of members with a wider range of voices and innovative capabilities — lives up to citizens' expectations.

Choi, in his own acceptance remarks, said he would faithfully serve as a bridge to facilitate communication among fellow members of the 10th council, which he described as more diverse than ever, and would help address key local issues and livelihood concerns.

The council is set to hold its second plenary session Wednesday to appoint members to standing committees and elect standing committee chairs.


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