Mokpo City Council Member Choi Hyun-joo Emphasizes Strong Administrative Measures Including City Bus License Revocation

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Jeong Hyeong-seok] At the 2nd regular session of the 379th Mokpo City Council held on the 16th, Councilor Choi Hyun-joo (Justice Party, Ma District) emphasized the need for strong administrative measures such as operation orders and license cancellations regarding the suspension of Mokpo city bus operations and proposed alternatives.

Councilor Choi stated, “Mokpo City has only responded to the city bus companies with recommendations for management improvement plans, so the problems have not been properly resolved, resulting in the city being dragged along by the bus companies. Since the current suspension of operations was caused by the poor management of Taewon and Yujin, we should not wait for the management improvement plan until December 31 but immediately take administrative action in the form of operation orders.”

Furthermore, she said, “According to Article 85, Paragraph 1, Item 2 of the Passenger Transport Service Act, if the uncertainty of business management or significantly poor asset conditions harm public convenience, the Mayor of Mokpo has the authority to cancel licenses. Considering the unprecedented situation of chronic wage arrears, capital erosion, and unpaid gas bills, Taewon and Yujin have already lost their management capabilities,” emphasizing that license cancellation is the first step to resolving the current situation.

In response, Mayor Park Hong-ryul of Mokpo said, “It is deeply regrettable that city bus operations have not been normalized. We are currently conducting a service related to the public operation system and plan to implement a Mokpo-style public operation system that leverages only its strengths. After reviewing the management improvement plans submitted by the city bus companies by the end of this month, we will proceed with strong administrative measures.”

Councilor Choi Hyun-joo added, “The most suffering from the continued suspension of city bus operations are bus workers and transportation-vulnerable groups. Since bus policy is greatly influenced by the will of the head of the organization, Mayor Park Hong-ryul must make a prompt decision for resolution and prepare fundamental measures for bus operation, and in this process, efforts to reflect the opinions of citizens should not be neglected.”