"If You Oppose the Administration, Resign"... Baek Seong-hyun, Nonsan Mayor, Faces Controversy Over Pressuring Village Chiefs to Resign

Opposition to Gunpowder Factory Move-in: "Residents Should Not Sign Against It"
Legislative Notice for Amendment to 'Rules on Appointment of Community Leaders and Village Chiefs' Including Dismissal Provisions

Nonsan City Hall Panorama

Baek Seong-hyun, mayor of Nonsan City in Chungnam Province, is embroiled in controversy for reportedly pressuring a local village chief to resign from his position due to opposition to the establishment of a gunpowder factory.

According to Asia Economy's report on the 19th, Nonsan City is promoting a general industrial complex spanning approximately 230,000 square meters in Yangchon-myeon in partnership with Korea Defense Industry Co., Ltd. (KDI), a defense industry company.

However, residents have formed a Citizens' Countermeasure Committee Against the Entry of Inhumane Weapons Manufacturers into Nonsan, and some village chiefs have collected signatures from residents opposing the factory's establishment.

KDI is the first defense company attracted by Mayor Baek since his inauguration, aiming to develop Nonsan as a central city for national defense.

Yet, as residents strongly oppose the gunpowder factory and the development of the general industrial complex faces difficulties, suspicions have arisen that Mayor Baek is trying to silence the residents.

Moreover, on the 6th, the city announced a partial amendment to the "Regulations on the Appointment of Nonsan City Village and Neighborhood Chiefs," stating it aims to establish proper work standards and ensure appropriate administrative performance.

The amendment includes provisions allowing the mayor to dismiss village chiefs ex officio if they cause administrative disruptions by inciting collective complaints, fomenting regional conflicts, or undermining community harmony. This has led to criticism that the city intends to replace some village chiefs in Yangchon-myeon with individuals more favorable to the administration.

One village chief told Asia Economy, "Recently, Mayor Baek called and said we should cooperate with city administration and not join the opposition signatures supporting residents. He told me to resign from my position if I oppose the administration."

He added, "I don't understand why the mayor tells a village chief, who was elected to represent the residents' voices, to resign. I cannot blindly cooperate with unreasonable city policies."

He also questioned, "The mayor was elected by the residents too, so if the residents ask the mayor to step down, would he do so?"

A resident pointed out, "We just want to live farming in a clean environment, but Mayor Baek labels us as leftists for opposing the gunpowder factory and is dividing the residents."

Attempts to obtain Mayor Baek's response via phone and KakaoTalk were unsuccessful.