Wanju-gun Politicians Eager to 'Put Their Spoon In' on Issue Resolution

Targeting Next Year's Local Elections, Each Boasts Contributions... Voters Frown

Hyundai Motor Company's Jeonju Plant, where the transfer of Staria production volume was recently decided through labor-management agreement

[Wanju=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Han-ho] Recently, as the pressing issues in Wanju-gun have been resolved, local politicians aiming for next year's local elections are aggressively taking credit for these achievements.

However, considering that resolving local issues is the result of concessions and cooperation among stakeholders, voters view these politicians who try to "put their spoon on a well-prepared table" with coldness.

On the 7th, Hyundai Motor Company labor and management agreed to transfer some of the Staria production volume (8,000 units annually) from the Ulsan 4 plant to the Jeonju plant.

This was met with unanimous welcome in Jeonbuk, including Wanju-gun.

This is because the Hyundai Motor Jeonju plant holds a significant share in the local economy.

The Jeonju plant once accounted for 96.6% of domestic commercial vehicle production and made up 25% of Jeonbuk's manufacturing industry.

Amid this, embarrassing self-praise from politicians considering running in next year's local elections is rampant.

Not only provincial and county council members but also election candidates themselves claim to have contributed significantly to securing the Staria volume for the Hyundai Motor Jeonju plant.

They say that when the Jeonju plant's operating rate sharply declined, they ran around everywhere to solve the problem, ultimately bridging the labor-management agreement to transfer the Staria volume.

After seven years of litigation with Lotte Shopping, Wanju County's meat processing company, Shinhwa Co., Ltd., recently agreed to mediation.

Additionally, when news came that Shinwha Co., a local meat processing company, recently agreed to mediation after a seven-year lawsuit with Lotte Shopping, some politicians jumped on the bandwagon.

They promote that they have supported Shinwha, which has been engaged in a difficult legal battle with a large corporation, and have proposed ordinances to help those harmed by abuse of power from business owners or public officials.

The reaction of voters in the Wanju area toward these politicians is unfavorable.

They criticize that these politicians usually stand idly by local issues but sneakily try to "free ride" once signs of resolution appear.

Moreover, while the parties who worked hard to resolve the issues remain quiet or hesitate to take credit, politicians with no significant contribution swarm to take credit, which is drawing strong criticism as an "eyesore."

Wanju=Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Han-ho stonepeak@asiae.co.kr