Gwangsan-gu Facilities Management Corporation Chairman Candidates Narrowed Down to Two

Lim Young-il and Chae Jong-soon 'Two-Way Race'... Outline Next Week

Possibility of Controversy Over Qualifications and Parachute Appointments

Attention is focused on who will become the next chairman to lead the Gwangsan-gu Facilities Management Corporation in Gwangju Metropolitan City, which is currently experiencing difficulties due to labor-management conflicts.

In the local public service community, there is a cautious atmosphere not only regarding the candidate's 'capability' to manage an organization that has always been plagued by noise but also about whether the appointment will be a 'parachute personnel' case.

Exterior view of Bitgoeul Center.

According to Gwangsan-gu on the 1st, the corporation's executive recommendation committee conducted document and interview screenings for three candidates who applied for the 5th chairman position and selected two final candidates.

The final candidates are former Dong-gu Deputy District Mayor Lim Young-il and former Gwangsan-gu Councilor Chae Jong-soon, and only the procedure of Park Byung-gyu, the appointing authority and Gwangsan-gu Mayor, deciding on the suitable candidate among them remains.

The outline of the 'new head' is expected to emerge as early as next week. The term of the new chairman will last until July 29 of next year.

Although rumors of a pre-selection have not spread widely, the most likely candidate mentioned is former Deputy District Mayor Lim.

Former Deputy District Mayor Lim served as a co-chairman of a forum composed of people who supported Mayor Park during last year's local election season, categorizing him as part of the 'close associates' group.

Because of this background, the possibility of discord arising over concerns that the mayor might be focusing on appointing his own people cannot be ruled out.

In fact, several Gwangsan-gu councilors are reportedly preparing by seeking connections between Mayor Park and former Deputy District Mayor Lim through various channels.

Concerns about former Deputy District Mayor Lim's moral shortcomings and qualifications could also become a flashpoint, potentially placing a burden on the appointing authority.

In 2015, former Deputy District Mayor Lim caused controversy by making sexual remarks at a church senior college entrance ceremony and subsequently apologized.

In 2016, he abruptly withdrew his candidacy for the Dong-gu mayoral by-election just five days after announcing his run, sparking various speculations.

Although he cited health reasons at the time, rumors circulated that there were private underlying issues, leaving an uneasy aftertaste.

Former Deputy District Mayor Lim began his public service career in 1975 as a Grade 9 (Seogibo) official and held key positions such as city auditor, head of Dong-gu cleaning administration, and deputy district mayor before retiring honorably in 2015 as a Grade 2 (Director).

Those who know him well describe him as "a charismatic leader with a commanding personality and a persuasive speaker who leads the atmosphere well."

However, there are opposing views that, to mediate and reduce the current internal conflicts within the corporation, 'inclusive and harmonious leadership' is more necessary than 'charismatic leadership.'

The competing candidate, former Gwangsan-gu Councilor Chae Jong-soon, began her legislative activities in the 6th council and has a record including receiving the top award for the local councilor manifesto pledge.

A councilor who once worked closely with her hinted that Chae is "someone who listens to others, with a gentle and calm personality."

Former Councilor Chae has served as the head of the Gwan-san branch of the National Environmental Protection Movement Headquarters, vice-chair of the Democratic Party's Gwangsan-eul regional committee, and the inaugural president of the International Rotary District 3710 Pungyeong Rotary Club.

Former Gwangsan-gu Councilor Bae Hong-seok, who was considered a 'mayor's person,' was eliminated early in the chairman recruitment race.

It is reported that Bae received the lowest score in the interview and thus faced disappointment. He also violated the three-year employment restriction rule for retired public officials, making him ineligible to apply from the start.

He was indicted last year by the court on charges of third-party bribery and received a guilty verdict (on appeal). He is currently known to be working as a reporter for an internet media outlet covering Gwangsan-gu Office.

Meanwhile, the Gwangsan-gu Facilities Management Corporation was established in 2014 as a district-owned public enterprise responsible for waste collection and transportation. Former chairman Shin Seon-ho resigned prematurely in September without completing his term. It is understood that he took responsibility for being embroiled in workplace harassment allegations and failing to resolve internal conflicts during his tenure.