[Seoul Metropolitan Council and District Council News] Seoul City Councilor Seo Yoon-gi criticized, "Mayor Oh Se-hoon's self-diagnosis kit project sends the wrong signal about quarantine to citizens, triggering Seoul's 4th wave of COVID-19. Despite hundreds of thousands of tests, only 4 confirmed cases were identified, showing virtually no results. The project was marred by various privileges and legal violations, making it a disastrous failure." He added, "Seoul's award decision for this project is a prime example of the farce in Oh Se-hoon's administration after 100 days in office."
[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] On the occasion of Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon's 100th day in office, Seoul City's quarantine policy has become controversial, and Seoul City has selected the self-diagnosis kit project as an excellent collaboration award recipient, sparking fierce criticism.
According to materials submitted by Seoul City to Seoul City Council member Seo Yoon-gi on the 15th, it was revealed that on the 12th, Seoul City selected three projects, including the self-diagnosis kit project, and 10 teams as recipients of the first half of the year Seoul City Excellent Collaboration Award.
These projects were selected based on the appropriateness of the tasks, collaboration, and the internal and external outcomes created through cooperation, measuring collaboration effectiveness.
Seoul City Council member Seo Yoon-gi stated, “Mayor Oh Se-hoon's self-diagnosis kit project sent the wrong signal about quarantine to citizens, triggering the fourth large-scale wave of COVID-19 in Seoul. Among hundreds of thousands of self-diagnosis kit tests, only four confirmed cases were identified, showing virtually no results. Moreover, various preferential treatments and legal violations were revealed during the project's implementation, making it a disastrously failed policy,” adding, “Seoul City's decision to award such a project is a representative example of the farce of Oh Se-hoon's administration, now 100 days into his term.”
He also pointed out, “Since his inauguration in April, Mayor Oh Se-hoon has used ambiguous terms like ‘coexistence quarantine’ and ‘customized quarantine,’ sending a wrong signal to citizens and the media that more relaxed regulations than the central government are necessary,” and said, “Mayor Oh Se-hoon bears considerable responsibility for the fourth wave of COVID-19.”
He continued, “In particular, among Mayor Oh Se-hoon's COVID-19 quarantine measures, the self-diagnosis kit project was pushed forward despite experts' negative opinions,” and evaluated it as “a level of pandering to popularity by exploiting the pain of some small business owners.”
Wrong quarantine signals triggered the fourth wave, pandering to popularity by exploiting small business owners' pain
After Mayor Oh Se-hoon's inauguration, Seoul City (Citizen Health Bureau) prepared a budget of 1.5 billion KRW from the disaster management fund, of which 900 million KRW was used to purchase self-test kits for the self-diagnosis kit project.
Seoyoon Ki, Seoul City Council Member
According to Seoul City Council, during the purchase process of self-diagnosis kits, Seoul City departments received about 900 million KRW worth of products from a specific company before signing a contract, and the contract was signed afterward. The City Council pointed out violations of regulations on fund management and related laws on local government contracts.
As controversy arose, a citizen audit request was filed, and it is known that an audit is currently underway by the Audit Committee, an independent collegial administrative body operating independently of the mayor's command and supervision.
Violation of local contract laws, subject to audit and disciplinary action controversy
Council member Seo Yoon-gi said, “Administrative actions ignoring laws, administrative principles, and procedures to fulfill the mayor's pledges have reappeared with Mayor Oh Se-hoon's arrival,” and emphasized, “The old customs and bad habits of Seoul City must be eradicated.”
He also pointed out, “Especially because it is Mayor Oh Se-hoon's pledge, if they intend to give performance points or any other type of award for an ineffective and failed policy, it cannot escape the stigma of being administration for the private interests of the mayor and officials rather than for citizens (quarantine administration).”
Seoul City Council Education Committee member Hwang In-gu: Political audit? Controversial targeted audit, former Board of Audit and Inspection Chairman Choi Jae-hyung's mid-term resignation leaves only conflict in Seoul education field
On the 15th, regarding former Board of Audit and Inspection Chairman Choi Jae-hyung's joining the People Power Party, a statement was released calling it “the political audit and targeted audit that shook Seoul education development and the political neutrality of the Board of Audit and Inspection, leading to his entry into politics.”
Seoul City Council Education Committee member Hwang In-gu (Gangdong 4, Democratic Party) stated, “Former Chairman Choi Jae-hyung's joining the People Power Party supports claims that the Board of Audit and Inspection's audit of Seoul Superintendent of Education Cho Hee-yeon was politically motivated,” and added, “There is an evaluation that this unprecedented figure who shook Seoul education administration and the Board of Audit and Inspection's core roles and duties has purchased an express ticket for political entry.”
He continued, “Although the Board of Audit and Inspection sufficiently confirmed the hiring process and purpose with Superintendent Cho Hee-yeon's side during the audit, it overlooked this and defined the matter as abuse of authority by the superintendent,” and said, “As a member of the Seoul education family, I deeply regret that former Chairman Choi, who turned efforts for innovation and past history resolution in the education field into a source of conflict with political standards, trampled on the political neutrality of the Board of Audit and Inspection and entered politics.”
In April, the Board of Audit and Inspection announced audit results stating that Superintendent Cho Hee-yeon had improperly ordered the special hiring of five dismissed teachers, including four members of the Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union (KTU), and filed a police complaint. Subsequently, an investigation is ongoing by the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials on charges including abuse of authority during the selection process.
In this situation, former Chairman Choi resigned from his post, joined the People Power Party 17 days later, and announced his intention to run for president, raising concerns about the political neutrality and independence of the Board of Audit and Inspection's audit and the abuse of authority for personal political calculations.
In the statement, Council member Hwang In-gu also pointed out the problem that the chairman of the Board of Audit and Inspection, who is responsible for ensuring administrative fairness and transparency during the severe COVID-19 pandemic, did not complete his term and is using the title of chairman as his political asset.
Council member Hwang emphasized, “Former Chairman Choi's joining the People Power Party is an unacceptable act for the head of an institution where political neutrality and independence are paramount,” and stressed, “Joining the People Power Party just 17 days after resigning as chairman further fuels concerns that the audit of Superintendent Cho Hee-yeon was a political or targeted audit.”
[Statement] Mid-term resignation of the Board of Audit and Inspection chairman amid political and targeted audit controversy leaves only conflict in Seoul education field!
Yesterday (15th), former Chairman Choi Jae-hyung joined the People Power Party. This occurred 17 days after he stepped down from the position of chairman, who is the chief responsible for national accounting, administrative agency affairs, and public official duty supervision.
During his tenure, the Board of Audit and Inspection conducted an audit on the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education's special hiring of dismissed teachers in 2018 and filed a police complaint against Superintendent Cho Hee-yeon for violating Article 44 of the National Public Officials Act (prohibition of interference with examination or appointment). The case was transferred to the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials, and investigations are ongoing.
The problem is that despite the Board of Audit and Inspection sufficiently explaining the hiring procedures, purpose, and legal advice results to Superintendent Cho Hee-yeon's side during the audit, it overlooked these and defined the matter as abuse of authority by the superintendent, leading to suspicions of political and targeted audits.
In the past, Seoul and other metropolitan and provincial offices of education reinstated dismissed teachers who joined the KTU through special hiring. Considering complaints from some groups, prior to special hiring, thorough discussions with practitioners were held, and legal advice was obtained from seven lawyers to ensure fairness and procedural legitimacy.
Nevertheless, the Board of Audit and Inspection announced audit results without considering these efforts, and some in the education community raised issues about the audit.
In this context, former Chairman Choi's political entry confirms that the audit of Superintendent Cho Hee-yeon was politically motivated and is seen as an irresponsible and sudden political move that shook Seoul education development and the Board of Audit and Inspection's political neutrality.
It is evaluated that this unprecedented figure who shook Seoul education administration and the Board of Audit and Inspection's core roles and duties has purchased an express ticket for political entry.
As a member of the Seoul education family responsible for Seoul education, I cannot help but feel devastated that former Chairman Choi, who turned efforts for innovation and past history resolution in the education field into a source of conflict with political standards, has now trampled on the political neutrality of the Board of Audit and Inspection and entered politics.
Moreover, during the national disaster situation of the COVID-19 pandemic, despite being responsible for strict and transparent audits to uphold public service discipline and administrative fairness and transparency, he resigned mid-term and is using the chairman title as his political asset, which is problematic.
Superintendent Cho Hee-yeon's efforts for past history resolution and harmony in education have only left conflicts and confusion in Seoul education due to the Board of Audit and Inspection, which the chairman himself dreamed of politically leading. The reinstatement of teachers who dedicated themselves to educational democratization and securing teachers' labor rights was labeled as illegal acts and measures depriving young teachers of jobs, only fueling conflicts in education and society.
I deeply regret former Chairman Choi's political ambitions and moves to enter politics and pursue the presidency, leveraging conflicts in education and his reputation as chairman of the Board of Audit and Inspection. As a member of the Seoul City Council Education Committee, I will play a strict role to promptly resolve conflicts and discord in our education field.
July 16, 2021
Seoul Metropolitan Council Education Committee Member Hwang In-gu
On the 73rd Constitution Day, Seoul City Council Democratic Party of Korea: "We will strive for the human rights and happiness of Seoul citizens as stipulated by the Constitution" statement
The ‘Constitution’ is the legal order that forms the foundation of our lives and the direction South Korea should pursue.
‘Local autonomy’ has been stipulated since the 1948 Constitution. This proves that for the true realization of democracy aimed by the Constitution, local autonomy, which is grassroots democracy and politics closely connected to residents' lives, must be supported. In other words, local autonomy is a fundamental principle guaranteed by the Constitution of South Korea.
This year marks the 30th anniversary of the revival of local autonomy. At the end of last year, the full revision of the Local Autonomy Act was passed for the first time in 32 years, marking progress in local autonomy. However, much remains to be done. The autonomy and discretion of local governments are still excessively restricted, and most administrative and political powers are concentrated in the central government. Local councils are in an even more serious situation. The scope of autonomous legislation is limited to areas delegated by law and is very narrow. The councils' essential role to check and monitor the executive branch has weak practical authority, and the councils' own organizational and personnel authority is still insufficient.
Now, marking the 30th anniversary of local autonomy's revival, let us make this a turning point for mature resident-centered autonomy and achieve innovation from the bottom up. Actively decentralize the powers concentrated in the central government to local governments and councils so they can play more substantial roles, and realize local autonomy and fiscal decentralization. Revolutionary changes to strengthen the independence of local councils must also be supported.
To this end, the remaining task is ‘constitutional amendment.’ Although there have been several efforts for a decentralization-oriented constitutional amendment, they have not been realized. Instead, the current constitutional provisions, which hinder local autonomy, must be changed to include sufficient guarantees for local governments' autonomous legislative and fiscal powers. The current Constitution, embodying the values of the 1987 system, cannot reflect the discourse of 2021 nor suggest the future direction toward becoming an advanced country. The Seoul City Council Democratic Party of Korea loudly asserts that the Constitution must support local governments to stand as autonomous entities, and discussions on this must resume.
The effects of realizing local autonomy will not be limited to local areas. It will actively respond to a diversifying society, reflect regional diversity, lead regional development more efficiently and rationally, and ultimately contribute to national development.
The Seoul City Council Democratic Party of Korea will continue to pay attention and make efforts to ensure that the strengthening of local autonomy and decentralization is substantively included in the Constitution, and once again pledges to do its best for the human rights and happiness of Seoul citizens guaranteed by the Constitution.
July 16, 2021. Seoul City Council Democratic Party of Korea Public Relations Deputy Representatives Moon Jang-gil and Song Myung-hwa
Seocho District Council Vice Chairman Choi Jong-bae expresses opinion on relocation of Gwacheon Sewage Treatment Plant
Seocho District Council Vice Chairman Choi Jong-bae expressed his opinion on the relocation of the Gwacheon Sewage Treatment Plant through his personal SNS.
Vice Chairman Choi stated that during the recent administrative audit of Gwacheon City Council, residents of Seocho District have expressed anxiety and mental distress due to remarks made by Gwacheon Mayor Kim Jong-cheon regarding the Gwacheon Sewage Treatment Plant.
Regarding the mayor's remarks, “According to the district plan for Gwacheon-Gwacheon District, the sewage treatment plant location is opposite Seocho Bogumjari. Seocho District strongly raised complaints, and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and Korea Land and Housing Corporation have also requested Gwacheon City to adjust the location. Therefore, Gwacheon City is considering relocating the sewage treatment plant to facilitate smooth project progress. While ensuring no harm to Seocho residents, Gwacheon citizens should not suffer disadvantages either. We are considering relocating the sewage treatment plant under such conditions.” Vice Chairman Choi argued that the sewage treatment plant location should be adjusted to a place satisfactory to both Seocho residents and Gwacheon citizens.
Vice Chairman Choi said on Facebook, “To escape from extreme anxiety, mental distress, and years of ongoing stress, we should all share opinions and, above all, decide the location prioritizing the quality of life of Seocho residents and Gwacheon citizens.” He also mentioned that on the morning of the 13th, at 6 a.m., he participated in a one-person protest with residents and met Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Noh Hyung-wook, who responded, ‘We will communicate with residents going forward and make wise decisions, so you may stop the one-person protest.’
Finally, Vice Chairman Choi concluded his statement by urging respect for the constitutional basic rights clearly stated in Article 35, Paragraph 1 of the Constitution, which guarantees citizens' right to live in a pleasant environment, protection of existing residents' residential environment rights, and assurance of children's educational environment.
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