Democratic Party Daejeon Branch Lee Jang-woo Daejeon City Administration First Half Evaluation Forum
Professor Kwak Hyun-geun of Daejeon University "City Administration Often Contradicts the Pluralism of Modern Society"
The Democratic Party Daejeon City Party held the "Evaluation Forum on the First Half of Mayor Lee Jang-woo's Eighth Term" on the 3rd at the Christian Union Volunteer Service Center. / Democratic Party
Criticism has emerged that Mayor Lee Jang-woo of Daejeon has failed to embrace the diversity of Daejeon citizens during his two years in office due to strong ideological bias and a dichotomous, authoritarian leadership style.
At the ‘Evaluation Forum on the First Half of Mayor Lee Jang-woo’s Eighth Term Daejeon Administration’ held on the 3rd at the Christian Union Volunteer Hall, hosted by the Democratic Party Daejeon Branch, Professor Kwak Hyun-geun of Daejeon University stated in his presentation, “While the normalization of the construction method for Urban Railway Line 2 tram and the full-scale launch of the Yuseong Complex Terminal project over the past two years can be positively evaluated, the mayor’s leadership shows excessive ideological bias that runs counter to the pluralism of modern society throughout the city administration.”
He cited unilateral reduction of the resident participation budget system, large-scale development of Bomunsan Mountain with concerns over reckless development, and conflicts with merchants during the bidding process for the underground shopping mall on Daejeon Jungang-ro as representative examples.
Professor Kwak criticized, “The local currency ‘Ontong Daejeon,’ which represents the regional development strategy, was reduced to the point of abolition simply because it was a policy of the previous mayor, and various citizen participation systems were neutralized by portraying the resident participation budget system as the property of the left.”
He added, “We must remember that the aggressive project promotion by Daejeon City in the first half of the eighth term caused enormous opportunity costs, sunk costs, and conflict costs. In the second half, it is expected that these costs will be minimized and that the mayor will demonstrate more inclusive, integrative, and democratic leadership, moving away from dichotomous political bias.”
Professor Jeong Se-eun of Chungnam National University, who participated as a discussant, evaluated, “Despite the current crisis where the regional foundation is collapsing?such as the livelihood crisis, self-employed business crisis, local crisis, regional university crisis, and youth employment crisis?Mayor Lee Jang-woo is presenting development pledges like a fleeting dream, which is very worrisome.”
She continued, “Even if national funds related to development are secured, it is questionable whether the land will be sold later or whether companies will come in. If companies do come, a power system must be established, but Daejeon has no plan for renewable energy transition. While it would be great if a massive industrial complex is created and good jobs are made, these are unrealistic stories. I wonder if Mayor Lee Jang-woo is trying to cover up his shortcomings.”
Attorney Kim Byung-gu stated, “Mayor Lee Jang-woo has announced that most of the 55 trillion won required for his pledges will be resolved through private investment attraction. However, as seen in the case of the Cheonbyeon Expressway, private investment attraction must be approached very cautiously.”
Former Daejeon City Council member Jo Seong-chil harshly criticized, “It seems that projects such as the construction of the Gapcheon outdoor swimming pool, production of civil servant uniforms, and cultural facilities being promoted in Jung-gu are being recklessly carried out for show without demand or fundamental research. It feels like rosy promises are being thrown out by region without any concrete plans.”
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