[Interview] Wando County Council Chairman Jungwook Choi: "Thorough Scrutiny of Abalone Industry Crisis and Organizational Restructuring"

"Supporting, But Proposing Alternatives: Building a Productive Council"

"Local Government Budgets and Administrative Authority Must Not Be Reduced in the Unified City"

With the election of independent candidate Shin Kim as governor of Wando County, the traditional party structure in Wando, South Jeolla Province, has shifted for the first time in 30 years. In this context, Jungwook Choi, Chairman of Wando County Council, expressed his commitment to bipartisan cooperation, stating, "Checks and balances with the executive branch and cooperation are the two pillars that serve the people."

Although Chairman Choi is a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, he made it clear that, since the public has chosen the most suitable candidate to lead Wando’s future rather than voting along party lines, he would fully respect the will of the people and pursue politics of coexistence.

Chairman Jungwook Choi clearly stated that he will fully respect the will of the county residents and pursue politics of coexistence. Photo by Junkyung Lee

Abalone Industry Shock and Organization Restructuring... Thorough Scrutiny of Civil Affairs and Administration Expected

On July 7, Chairman Choi evaluated the results of the recent election by stating, "The people have delivered a clear message for change and new governance." He also expressed regret over the controversies that arose during the Democratic Party candidate selection process, diagnosing that public sentiment for change had been reflected in the outcome.

Chairman Choi emphasized, "If the residents have entrusted Wando’s future based on the individual rather than party affiliation, it is the council’s most important duty to take that will seriously and respect it."

He added, "The council is not an institution that simply cuts budgets or acts as a rubber stamp. We will firmly support necessary projects, but for areas requiring improvement, we will create a productive council that proposes clear alternatives."

On the most pressing local issue—the crisis in the abalone industry—Chairman Choi expressed grave concern. "The hardships of fishermen have become severe due to falling demand and prices, rising production costs, and even abnormal weather conditions," he said, adding, "Through administrative audits and council inquiries, we will thoroughly examine the current situation, and at the council level, we will form a 'council research group' to systematically study ways to enhance competitiveness."

He also promised rigorous scrutiny regarding the recently controversial restructuring of the county organization and large-scale national projects. While acknowledging the necessity for reorganization in line with the new philosophy of governance, he said he would closely examine whether the adjustment of certain departments’ functions might undermine the continuity and expertise of administration.

Additionally, he stressed that for large-scale projects such as the marine healing industry and the National Maritime and Fisheries Museum, "thorough verification is essential regarding both the financial burden and sustainability, given their scale," vowing to strongly demand measures to minimize financial strain.

Chairman Jeong Wook Choi also announced sharp scrutiny regarding military organizational reform and large-scale national projects. Photo by Lee Jungkyung

"Seoul-Jeju High-Speed Rail Cannot Be Stopped"... Defense Front Against Being Sidelined in the Unified Special City

Regarding the inclusion of the long-cherished "Seoul-Jeju High-Speed Rail" project in the national plan, Chairman Choi expressed both regret over delays and his intention to continue pushing forward.

He stated, "Although the project is progressing more slowly than initially hoped due to some negative public opinion, this is a core project for balanced national development. I will continue to visit the government and National Assembly to strongly advocate its necessity."

For responses to population decline and youth outflow, he placed emphasis on "checking for effective implementation results" that go beyond simply enacting ordinances. He also plans to support local consumption through ordinances that assist small business owners.

Finally, with the launch of the integrated special city for Gwangju and South Jeolla Province becoming a reality, Chairman Choi said, "Transferring authority through a special law will be an opportunity to strengthen regional competitiveness," but stressed that "budget or administrative authority for local governments on the periphery, such as Wando County, must never be reduced in the integration process."

He concluded, "Especially in times of change, we will thoroughly fulfill our oversight role under the banner of 'local interests first,' and we will further strengthen strategic cooperation with South Jeolla Province and the central government."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.