Lee Jae-myung's administration has gone too far with its one-man rule. If the Democratic Party takes local power as well, when it already controls the legislative, judicial, and executive branches, checks and balances will collapse.
Choi Min-ho, the People Power Party's candidate for Sejong mayor, made clear in an interview with ChosunBiz on the 12th that he would fight this Sejong mayoral race on the theme of "checking the Lee Jae-myung administration." Regarding a poll showing him trailing Democratic Party of Korea candidate Cho Sang-ho in support, Choi said, "It is true the electoral environment is unfavorable," but added, "There is a gap between the poll numbers and the public sentiment we feel on the ground."
He criticized the Democratic Party's recently pushed "fabricated indictment special counsel act," saying, "The idea of trying your own case yourself, of erasing a case indicted by the judiciary on your own, is something that cannot happen in a democracy." He continued, "Seeing them push such a bill right before the local elections, I felt the Democratic Party was taking the election too lightly," and added, "As Election Day gets closer, I can feel on the ground that conservative supporters are rallying." The following is a Q&A with Choi.
─You are seeking a second term. With what resolve are you running?
Sejong now stands on the threshold of completion. It bears the name of administrative capital, but the National Assembly and presidential functions have not fully taken root. Its transportation, fiscal, and industrial bases are also hard to deem sufficient. The next four years will determine whether Sejong remains an administrative city or is completed as a substantive administrative capital. I believe I am the person who can take responsibility for that task most effectively.
─What is most needed to complete the administrative capital?
The sincerity of the Lee Jae-myung administration. The Lee Jae-myung administration promised to amend the Constitution to complete the administrative capital. Yet the actual draft of the amendment omits the administrative capital. That means there is no sincerity.
─In its first year, the Lee Jae-myung administration transferred the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries to Busan. How do you see that?
From the principle of completing the administrative capital, central administrative functions should be concentrated in Sejong. Only then can consultations among the National Assembly, the presidential office, and central ministries be carried out efficiently. If ministries are scattered, administrative expense increases and the speed of policy decisions slows. This is not just an inconvenience for civil servants. It ultimately affects the speed and quality of administrative services delivered to the public. The functions of the administrative capital must no longer be dispersed.
─Sejong's fiscal issues also need to be addressed.
Sejong's fiscal difficulties did not arise because the city was lax. It is a structural issue. It is not right to ask Sejong to serve as the administrative capital without providing the fiscal base needed for that role. The central government and the National Assembly must resolve this institutionally. The method of calculating general grants, fiscal special cases, and adjustment mechanisms for administrative capital functions must be put in place realistically. There are two solutions. One is to secure Sejong's rightful share from the central government, and the other is to build a structure in which the economy circulates within Sejong.
─To build a self-sustaining economy, you need an industrial base. There are criticisms that Sejong is weak in that area.
We must transition to a self-sufficient economy city. We will attract smart industry and AI/data industry corporations, and we must revive commercial districts by growing the garden city expo and the tourism and culture industries. Through 1,000 units of youth housing, expanded rent support, and interest-free startup loans, we will also create a foundation for young people to start out in Sejong. We must turn Sejong into a jobs city.
─Last year Sejong's population shifted from net inflow to net outflow.
As a planned city, Sejong's population inflow is largely affected by the number of apartment move-ins. The reason for last year's net outflow was that there were no apartment move-ins. But relying solely on building apartments to bring in population makes sustained growth difficult. We must build a city with enough places to learn, work, stay, and enjoy.
─The garden city expo fell through due to opposition in the city council.
The international garden city expo is not just a flower festival. It is an urban growth project that will change Sejong's city brand and revive its commercial districts. Sejong has the Korea National Arboretum, Central Park, and Lake Park. Landscaping and floriculture industries have also developed in the surrounding area. It is very regrettable that an event that could have revived the local economy was scrapped. I will not give up. I will persuade again and prepare again to push it forward with greater completeness.
─This election is being held with low support for the People Power Party. What is your campaign strategy?
This election will not be decided solely by the winds of central politics. It is an election that asks who will take responsibility for Sejong's future. I will not bring the conflicts of central politics into Sejong. I will compete with on-the-ground work, competence, and sincerity. I trust citizens will judge who knows Sejong best. I will see through to the end the tasks needed for Sejong.
☞Who is Choi Min-ho
Born in Daejeon in 1956. He graduated from Hankuk University of Foreign Studies with a degree in law and received a master's in public administration from Yonsei University. He completed a doctoral program in public administration at Dankook University. Passing the 24th higher civil service exam, he worked at the Ministry of the Interior and Safety and served as vice governor of South Chungcheong Province and as head of the National Agency for Administrative City Construction. After serving as chief of staff to former Prime Minister Lee Wan-koo, he was elected Sejong mayor in the 2022 local elections.