“A Council That Does It Right, Not Just a Council That Does More”

Choonshik Choi, Chairman of Uiseong County Council:
"The True Measure of Policy Lies in the Field"

The Uiseong County Council has made it clear that the direction of its legislative activities in 2026 will be "responsibility over expansion" and "execution over planning." Drawing lessons from the gap between on-site realities and institutional frameworks revealed during last year's large-scale wildfire, the council plans to review all legislative activities based on whether policies are actually functioning in practice.

Choonshik Choi, Chairman of Uiseong County Council

Choonshik Choi, Chairman of Uiseong County Council, stated in his New Year's address, "We will thoroughly examine the problems identified on the ground and the institutional gaps that emerged during disaster response, and the council will fulfill its duty to ensure that the voices of residents are faithfully reflected in all aspects of county administration."

Chairman Choi recalled the large wildfire that broke out last year before the sansuyu flowers bloomed, describing it as "the greatest ordeal that the entire Uiseong community had to endure."

He added, "Although the wounds of losing our homes still remain, the solidarity and cooperation demonstrated by the residents during that time became the greatest source of strength for the region to recover."

For the new year, he set "execution" as the standard for legislative activities. Chairman Choi stressed, "Policies should not remain as mere plans on paper but must be verified in the field," adding, "We will continue legislative activities that meticulously review every stage, from budget execution and project implementation to post-project evaluations."

The Uiseong County Council defined 2026 as a turning point to summarize the progress of the 8th popularly elected county administration and to take the next step forward.

The New Year's address outlined key tasks such as laying the foundation for Uiseong as an airport city, fostering future growth industries, creating living conditions that attract and retain young people and children, and establishing a comprehensive welfare system for seniors and the socially vulnerable.

In particular, Chairman Choi made it clear that responsibility and effectiveness would take precedence over outward expansion, stating, "We will review budgets and policies based on whether limited resources are providing real benefits to residents." The council also plans to scrutinize the formation of the airport economic zone, the development of bio and drone industries, the expansion of advanced agriculture, and rural space regeneration policies.

Regarding areas directly related to residents' daily lives, such as safety, welfare, healthcare, education, and housing, Chairman Choi stated, "We will continue careful legislative activities to ensure that there are no institutional blind spots." This reflects the understanding that the quality of life for each individual resident is directly linked to the sustainability of the region.

At the end of his New Year's address, Chairman Choi emphasized the importance of cooperative governance by referencing the phrase "Dongjugongje" (crossing the river in the same boat).

He stated, "Just as we cross a river together in the same boat, regional change cannot be achieved by the efforts of a single institution alone. When residents, the administration, and the council move in the same direction, Uiseong's future will become even stronger."

The Uiseong County Council plans to continue preparing for the next stage of the region together with residents in the Year of the Byeong-o, through on-site inspections and responsibility-centered legislative activities.