Mayor Baek Sunghyun to Lawmaker Hwang Myungseon: "Don't Hinder Nonsan's Future"

Screenshot of Baek Seonghyun, Nonsan Mayor's SNS

On the 23rd, Baek Seonghyeon, Mayor of Nonsan City, Chungnam, criticized Democratic Party lawmaker Hwang Myungseon (Nonsan, Gyeryong, Geumsan) for putting up a banner that reads "Oppose the Bomb Factory," saying, "It's something that would make a cow laugh," and "A bomb factory? Really?"

On his social media that day, Mayor Baek wrote, "I would like to strongly respond to the false agitation of double standards, but out of consideration for the citizens' feelings, I will not reply."

He continued, "If you truly care about the safety of citizens, how will you justify your ingratitude of choosing your own future while leaving behind the citizens of Nonsan, who are struggling and living in anxiety due to the pandemic?"

Previously, Representative Hwang had put up a banner stating, "We will protect the lives and safety of our citizens" and "Oppose the Nonsan Bomb Factory!" in relation to the plan to establish a defense industry complex by Korea Defense Industry (KDI) and KD Solution (KDs) in the Imhwa-ri area of Yangchon-myeon.

Banner posted by Assemblyman Hwang Myungseon in the region / Informant

In response, Mayor Baek targeted Representative Hwang, saying, "You resigned as Mayor of Nonsan on January 18, 2022, but the pandemic continued until May last year. How is citizens' safety different then and now?" He added, "Please do not sow the seeds of political evils in Nonsan by dividing citizens and creating factions with rumors any longer."

He went on, "Now is the time to put aside party ideologies, put the brakes on population outflow, increase farm income, and create quality jobs to attract young people. The answer to quality jobs is the defense industry. This is about people's livelihoods and for the citizens."

Mayor Baek pointed out, "For you, the past 12 years should have been a time for gratitude and reflection," and added, "With the designation as a Special Opportunity Development Zone, Konyang University selected as a leading national defense university, and about 3,000 young people hoping to join the company you criticize, KDI, you should realize that your actions insult the youth."

He also said, "Do not forget that the difference between lies and sincerity is revealed in the results," and insisted, "Nonsan is now changing far more remarkably than during your 12 years here."

He concluded, "Stop interfering with the future of Nonsan and maintain your dignity."

Meanwhile, defense companies such as Korea Defense Industry (KDI) and KD Solution (KDs) are scheduled to establish an industrial complex on a 254,824 square meter site in the Imhwa-ri area of Yangchon-myeon by next year.