Oh Hageun Criticizes: "Welcome, Though Late... Doubts Remain About Mayor Noh Gwankyu's Sincerity"

"After Ignoring Livelihood Issues for Three Years, Decision Made Right Before the Election"
A Strategic Move Aimed at the Suncheon Mayoral Race... Seen as Declaration of Candidacy

Oh Hageun, former Jeonnam Provincial Assembly member, commented on October 21 regarding Suncheon Mayor Noh Gwankyu's announcement to provide a "200,000 won per citizen livelihood recovery grant," saying, "Although it is late, I welcome the decision," but also pointed out, "I have doubts about its sincerity."

In a statement released the same day, Oh said, "During the 2022 local elections, when I pledged a 1 million won livelihood support grant per person, Mayor Noh and some media outlets consistently ridiculed the idea, asking, 'Where will you find the funding?', 'This is populism,' and 'Do it with your own money.' Why is the same person now proposing 200,000 won?"

Oh Hageun, former Jeonnam Provincial Assembly member.

He continued, "In the past, Mayor Noh stood at a church pulpit and said, 'I did not make any pledges,' dismissing the call for disaster relief grants. He also cited the case of Yeosu City, which provided 300,000 won, and said, 'A large pizza costs 42,000 won, you can't even buy 10 pizzas.'"

He went on to criticize, "Back then, he insisted that funds should be used to enhance the city's competitiveness and focused on projects like the Garden Expo. Now, packaging the grant as a 'political decision' is an insult to the citizens."

He also raised concerns about the timing of the payment. He said, "The citizens' livelihood difficulties have continued regardless of the election schedule. Back then, he turned a blind eye, but now, just before the December election, is he really introducing this policy out of genuine concern?"

He further argued, "Yeosu City has already provided 300,000 won per person, and considering rising prices and living costs, at least 500,000 won should have been considered. For Suncheon City, which manages the largest budget in Jeonnam, 200,000 won is far from sufficient."

Oh maintains that his original pledge to provide 1 million won per person is still valid. He stated, "Even at that time, it was a realistic plan, and it is entirely feasible given Suncheon City's financial situation. The budget for genuine livelihood support should not be just for show."

Although this statement directly targets Mayor Noh, it also reveals Oh's strong intention to run in next year's Suncheon mayoral election. In fact, Oh has already made his candidacy a certainty through discussions with close associates, and this statement is being interpreted as the opening salvo for the upcoming election campaign.

With the policy debate over the livelihood recovery grant heating up, Suncheon's political climate is intensifying ahead of next year's local elections.