Devoting All Efforts to Achieve Five Key Future Visions in the Remaining Term
Mayor Minho Choi of Sejong City, marking his third anniversary in office, is holding a press conference and making a statement. Photo by Public Relations Office
"Three years ago today, as I took office as the 4th Mayor of Sejong City, holding the hands of our citizens, I felt a heavy sense of responsibility and renewed determination. I will once again recall that resolve, and for the remainder of my term, I will devote myself unwaveringly to making Sejong a city worthy of its status as the administrative capital of Korea."
Mayor Minho Choi of Sejong City made these remarks on July 1 during a press conference marking his third anniversary in office.
In particular, there has been friction, such as budget allocations being cut by the Sejong City Council, which has limited the ability to pursue independent projects. However, it is assessed that he has continued to take on challenges, refusing to give up and making ongoing efforts to persuade stakeholders.
On this day, Mayor Choi stated, "President Jaemyung Lee pledged to build the National Assembly Sejong Building and the Presidential Sejong Office during his term, but in order to firmly establish Sejong's status as the administrative capital and to fully perform its functions, a complete relocation must be the premise." He emphasized that the National Assembly Sejong Building, including the main chamber, the Speaker's office, and all standing committees, as well as the presidential office, should be constructed to at least the scale necessary to fulfill the core functions of the Blue House.
A request to expand the scale of construction has already been submitted to the government. Regarding the additional relocation of public institutions suited to the city's characteristics, such as the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, which have not yet moved, he is currently working to persuade both the government and political circles.
Mayor Choi made it clear that he will continue to pursue the constitutional amendment for the administrative capital, the enactment of special laws, and the full revision of the Sejong City Act to secure the legal status of the administrative capital. His plan is to play a role in the process of reaching social consensus for constitutional amendment, which the new government has promised, while also continuing public discussions through forums and meetings. This is interpreted as an intention to gather public opinion within the local community.
He especially emphasized the promotion of institutional reforms to revitalize local regions.
He stated, "Currently, local regions are facing chronic and persistent problems such as population decline, regional extinction, and fiscal deterioration," adding, "To realize a true era of local autonomy, effective institutional reforms are urgently needed."
Therefore, he expressed his commitment to take the lead in redefining the functions and roles between the central and local governments and in strengthening fiscal decentralization to address the limitations of vulnerable local finances.
This includes improving the local allocation tax system, easing the requirements for preliminary feasibility studies, and improving the structure of national and local tax revenues. To save rural areas facing extinction due to population decline, institutional reforms such as promoting rural second houses will also be pursued. There are also plans to actively propose to the government policies to revitalize local regions, such as establishing a Population Strategy Center for locally-led population policy, and expanding inheritance tax deductions for businesses in Opportunity Development Zones.
Mayor Choi emphasized, "As we enter the fourth year of this administration, I will return to the basics and maintain a steady course in city governance with the spirit of 'Bonlibdosaeng' (when the foundation is established, the way is born). Over the remaining year, I will focus all our capabilities to achieve tangible and concrete results."
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