By Kim Se-jeong
Tension between the central and two local governments over welfare measures might grow into a legal battle.
The Ministry of Health and Welfare said Thursday that it would file a petition with the Supreme Court to ask it to stop the Seoul Metropolitan Government (SMG) plan to offer money to young jobseekers.
It will also seek similar legal action against Seongnam in Gyeonggi Province, which also plans to offer subsidies to young residents and set up free postpartum care centers.
The ministry said Seoul has allocated a budget for the plan to provide money to jobseekers without prior consultation with it. According to the law, municipalities need to consult with the central government before initiating welfare measures, so as to avoid policy duplication.
Seongnam also set aside a budget for its programs although the ministry had refused to give permission for them in prior consultations.
“The SMG has violated the law by failing to consult with the ministry. Seongnam is also at fault for pushing through with the project although the ministry expressed its opposition,” a ministry official said. “What the two cities are trying to do is to violate the Basic Social Welfare Law. We will send them letters ordering them to reconsider their moves, and then file the petitions with the court if they refuse to do so.”
Under the Local Autonomy Act, the ministry can file a petition with the top court directly, skipping lower courts.
Besides the petition, the ministry may cut subsidies to the two cities as a punitive measure.
Both cities are protesting the central government’s actions, saying the it should give them more autonomy in promoting welfare projects for their residents.
A Seoul official said that the city may file a petition with the Constitutional Court to review whether the central or local government has authority on such policies.
“Local governments may discuss policies with the central government, but it is a dictatorial idea to penalize them if they do not follow the latter’s decision,” he said.
A Seongnam official also said the city may take the issue to the Constitutional Court.
“We express our deepest concerns that local governments’ autonomy has come under serious threat,” Kim Nam-joon, Seongnam spokesman, said. “Offering residents quality welfare benefits is the core responsibility of a local government. We will carry out the programs with money saved through our own belt-tightening, not money given by the central government. I believe it has no right to say anything.”
Last month, Seoul City announced it would provide 3,000 young jobseekers between the ages of 19 and 29 with 500,000 won per month for six months.
Earlier, Seongnam said that it would provide monthly “youth dividends” beginning in 2016 to all residents between the ages of 19 and 24 who have lived in the city for more than three years. The amount will be between 80,000 and 90,000 won, adding up to about 1 million won a year.