[2025 Audit] Democratic Party Sejong Branch Issues Commentary Targeting Choi Minho's Sejong Administration

"Audit Reveals Governance Shortcomings,
Calls for Reflection and Concrete Alternatives"

On October 20, during the National Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee's audit of Sejong City, held ahead of next year's local elections, some observers noted that the session seemed more focused on targeting Sejong Mayor Choi Minho than on scrutinizing the administrative system. Given that the audit took place about seven months before the local elections, this interpretation appears convincing.

In this context, the Democratic Party of Korea also issued its commentary on the Sejong City audit that day. The party assessed that the audit clearly revealed comprehensive administrative failures and strongly criticized Mayor Choi Minho's administration.

They pointed out that in key areas such as the Green Lab industrial complex, the Cultural Foundation's personnel affairs, disaster response, and budget execution, the fundamental principles of municipal governance-planning, execution, and accountability-were not functioning properly. This was a common criticism raised during the audit.

In particular, the party argued that Sejong City's administration has repeatedly demonstrated opaque favoritism toward certain groups and performative governance, without securing the capabilities and expertise befitting its status as the administrative capital.

The local party branch stated, "The process of promoting the Green Lab industrial complex was cited as a representative case of administrative failure." They pointed out that a developer, previously disqualified from an industrial complex project due to land speculation allegations, simply changed its name and resumed the project, while the city granted approval in the shortest possible time without proper review. This raised suspicions about procedural legitimacy and favoritism, fueling controversy. They argued that such negligent administration and favoritism for vested interests are undermining public trust.

Furthermore, the controversy over personnel appointments at the Cultural Foundation was also seen as seriously damaging trust in city governance. The rekindling of blacklist allegations led to concerns about the fairness and political neutrality of appointments. The party argued that this was not merely a personnel issue but a symbolic reflection of the broader lack of accountability and transparency in city administration, with limitations also exposed in disaster response and budget management.

During this summer's heavy rains, the city's slow response to casualties was criticized. Regarding fiscal issues, the fundamental cause was identified not as a lack of budget but as a lack of execution capacity. The party interpreted that an administrative structure more focused on internal logic than on serving citizens is holding Sejong City back.

Ultimately, the party concluded that the audit clearly exposed the backwardness of Sejong City's administration.

The local party branch stated, "Sejong City must now move beyond closed-door and performative governance and transition to substantive administration characterized by policy transparency, procedural legitimacy, and accountability for results." They added, "Mayor Choi Minho should humbly accept the audit's criticisms and present clear alternatives and reform measures to the citizens."