Entire Budget for Sejong City Light Festival Cut Again by Politicians This Year
With the entire budget for the Sejong City Light Festival cut by local politicians, this year’s event is also expected to be held through citizen fundraising, just as it was last year. Since the event, which aims to stimulate the local economy, was cut by the political sector, organizers plan to hold it through the interest and efforts of citizens.
The Sejong City Light Festival Citizen Promotion Committee held a press conference on the 25th, stating, “We condemn the Sejong City Council members from the Democratic Party of Korea who cut the entire budget,” and raised their voices in criticism, adding, “We will hold them accountable in next year’s local elections.”
They further emphasized, “As we did last year, citizens will prepare the Light Festival through voluntary fundraising, and this year we will hold an even more successful event with participation from more civic groups.”
By organizing this year’s Light Festival with distinctive programs, the committee aims to attract more visitors to the venue and contribute to revitalizing the local economy.
They also sharply criticized the Democratic Party city council members, stating, “It is incomprehensible that they cut the entire budget despite being fully aware of the festival’s achievements,” and described it as “the political tyranny of the majority party.” They argued that Democratic Party members, who hold a numerical advantage, are monopolizing decisions with plausible political logic.
Some have pointed out, “It is questionable whether factional politics should take precedence over the reality faced by struggling small business owners and citizens suffering from vacant commercial spaces. Democratic Party council members should reflect on whom they are truly serving in politics.”
Meanwhile, last year, after the entire 600 million won budget for the Light Festival was cut, citizens formed a promotion committee and raised 400 million won to hold the event. This year, with the festival budget again eliminated, Mayor Choi recently held a press conference and issued strong criticism targeting Democratic Party council members.
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