[Reporter’s Desk] Kim Kiwoong’s “Transparent Administration” in Seocheon Is Just Words... Belated Explanations Only Fuel Distrust

Repeated Evasion of Responsibility and Ambiguous Stances Amid Ongoing Controversies Over the Industrial Waste Landfill and Geumgang Estuary Seawater Circulation
Administrative Credibility Continues to Decline

Seocheon County in South Chungcheong Province has issued a statement regarding the industrial waste landfill and the Geumgang Estuary seawater circulation issue, but County Governor Kim Kiwoong’s explanation misses the core of the matter.

He stated that it is “an administrative and technical decision, not a political dispute,” and promised to “proceed based on data, public interest, and transparency.” However, it was only after the project plan was established in March and the design phase began in September that he mentioned holding a resident briefing session. This “post-facto explanation,” lacking procedural legitimacy, is fueling distrust rather than restoring administrative credibility.

Regarding the Geumgang Estuary seawater circulation, he once again raised the controversial “tidal power generation” plan, while claiming to be “principally in favor.”

The “canal construction” controversy, which emerged during the 2022 election, was dropped from his pledges following a scandal over false statements, yet even after three years, no apology has been made.

At the 2023 year-end press conference, he said, “Geumrando is a Gunsan City project, so Seocheon has no reason to intervene,” revealing an irresponsible attitude toward regional issues.

Even in the nationwide discussions among local governments on enacting a “Special Act on Estuary Restoration,” in which many participated to restore estuary ecosystems, Seocheon County’s administration was notably absent.

The same applies to the public industrial waste landfill pilot project. The resident briefing session was postponed until after the election, and the process for obtaining resident consent was effectively omitted, with the project being pushed forward at full speed.

At a meeting of a department head in South Chungcheong Province, it was explained that “since the site has already been designated for waste disposal, it would be better if the province purchased it.” Yet, not once was this explained to the residents of Seocheon County.

While Governor Kim Taeheum instructed, “If necessary, proceed even if the election is tomorrow,” County Governor Kim is attempting to manage the situation merely by stating, “It must not become a political dispute.”

The “transparent, public, data-driven administration” that County Governor Kim repeatedly emphasizes remains nothing more than a slogan.

What truly matters is “when, with whom, and on what grounds” these projects are pursued. Political calculations are taking precedence over policy consistency, and administrative appearances are prioritized over trust with residents.

The real issue facing Seocheon County is neither the landfill nor the Geumgang Estuary. The fundamental problem is an “uncommunicative administration” that refuses to listen to its residents.

What is needed now is not rhetoric, but genuine responsible governance. If the “transparent administration” County Governor Kim speaks of is sincere, it must begin not with belated explanations, but with a heartfelt apology.