Evaluation of Pledge Fulfillment on 1st Anniversary of Inauguration
No Achievements in Securing Alternative Landfill Site and Implementing Four-Party Agreement
Suggestions for Practical Measures and Institutional Improvements in the Era of GRDP 100 Trillion
Need to Address Pledges on Strengthening Public Healthcare and Establishing Public Medical School
The Incheon Citizens' Coalition for Economic Justice demanded that Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok of Incheon, who marked his first anniversary in office, prepare a concrete roadmap and funding plan for major campaign promises.
On the 26th, Incheon Citizens' Coalition for Economic Justice made this statement through a commentary on the results of the 'First Anniversary Pledge Implementation Survey' of Mayor Yoo. The total number of implementation tasks for Yoo's election pledges (178) and citizen-proposed pledges (222) amounts to 400, the highest among all previous Incheon mayors.
Regarding the representative pledges of the 8th local government term, 'Jemulpo Renaissance' and 'New Hong Kong City Construction,' the coalition said, "Since the service project has not yet been completed, the project blueprint has not been presented even after the first anniversary of the inauguration," adding, "The mid-term report meeting to be held in the second half of the year marks the second year of the administration, and it should demonstrate what a competitive city preparing for the future and a city developing in balance looks like."
They also pointed out the issue of ending the use of the Sudokwon Landfill Site, a major local concern, stating, "Although there was a promise to resolve it through the creation of an alternative landfill site and the previously halted four-party consultation on Sudokwon Landfill policies has resumed," they noted, "there is still no achievement in securing an alternative landfill site or in implementing the four-party agreement, so we are currently waiting for a future roadmap."
The coalition also evaluated that a detailed funding plan is necessary for the estimated 77,236.57 billion KRW required for the implementation of the pledges.
The city plans to raise 1,274.83 billion KRW from national funds, 1,274.83 billion KRW from city funds, 169.02 billion KRW from district and county funds, 950.54 billion KRW from private investment, and 145.96 billion KRW through other methods.
Regarding this, the Incheon Citizens' Coalition for Economic Justice said, "We are curious about the basis on which the funding plan was established," and claimed, "The city projected a shortfall of 125.48 billion KRW, but considering the revenue conditions, this estimate is too low."
They continued, "Local taxes in 2023 are expected to decrease compared to the previous year, so the annual net increase of 40 billion KRW presented in the pledge implementation plan is expected to be difficult at least this year," emphasizing, "With increasing arrears and a decrease in national taxes, special grants are also expected to be difficult, so the city must devise funding plans such as expenditure reduction."
The Incheon Federation of Economic Organizations investigation team held a meeting with the city after evaluating 400 action tasks included in Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok's election pledges and citizen proposal pledge implementation plans on the 21st. 2023.6.21 [Photo by Incheon Federation of Economic Organizations]
They also demanded the preparation of concrete implementation measures and institutional improvements to pioneer the era of 100 trillion KRW in GRDP (Gross Regional Domestic Product).
The Incheon Citizens' Coalition for Economic Justice stated, "Efforts to strengthen the competitiveness of existing industries must be accompanied by the discovery and attraction of future industries. A concrete implementation plan should be presented regarding the roles of existing industries and future strategic industries, especially what role the future high-tech industrial city symbolized by 'New Hong Kong City' can play."
They added, "To open the era of 100 trillion KRW, it is necessary to attract future and strategic industries such as semiconductor specialized complexes, but this is difficult due to regulations in the metropolitan area. Even Incheon's airport, port, and free economic zone are unfairly treated in the competition for strategic industry locations because of metropolitan area regulations and balanced development policies," urging, "Mayor Yoo must find extraordinary solutions such as proposing alternative legislation."
The coalition also said, "Since the pledges to build the 2nd Incheon Medical Center and establish a public medical school at Incheon National University are vital public issues, the Incheon city government must manage them well," adding, "Attracting a branch of the Yeongjong National University Hospital faces possible opposition from the Ministry of Health and Welfare, which is concerned about the proliferation of branch hospitals of higher-level hospitals, so new avenues must be explored. Additionally, a justification must be found for selecting a new hospital to attract an infectious disease specialist hospital that failed to be selected in the metropolitan hospital competition."
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