Three offices to share roles based on regional characteristics
Semiconductor site draws national attention; mayor says decision rests with companies
Min Hyeong-bae, mayor of the South Jeolla-Gwangju Special Integrated City, said Tuesday he is considering putting the question of the city's main government office to a public vote at a town hall meeting set for Sunday.
Speaking at a press briefing at the Gwangju office that afternoon, Min said there is no single "main" office — all three locations in Muan, Suncheon and Gwangju hold that status equally. "I plan to ask citizens which arrangement they prefer as we assign functions and organize staff across the three offices," he added.
He said the eastern office in Suncheon would gain two to three additional bureaus, expanded operations and a registered address under a plan he is considering. "The goal is to assign roles to each of the three offices based on their regional characteristics and functions," he said.
Min identified two immediate priorities: ensuring the semiconductor industry takes firm root in the region, and filling in the substantive details of the institutional framework supporting the integration. "To get that done, I think I need to be based in Gwangju for now," he said. He added that he had originally planned to carry out civil servant personnel appointments effective July 1 but was unable to do so because he lacked appointment authority as a mayor-elect. "I am aiming for Aug. 1 and will move quickly," he said.
On the selection of four deputy mayors, Min said two of the local-government positions would be filled through public nominations. "We will open the application process soon. One of the two will be a woman," he said.
Min also addressed the semiconductor site question, which has drawn national attention.
"The factory location is not something we should decide," he said. "It will most likely come from the companies themselves. Once the administrative steps are taken, it will become clear where the site will be."
sij@heraldcorp.com
