Jeonnam-Gwangju Deputy Mayoral Confirmation Hearings... Fairness Disputed Over 'Public Nomination Process'

Baek Seungju Faces Questions Over Seoul Residence, Gaepo Apartment Purchase, and Local Issue Competence
Yoon Nansil Pressed on Fairness of Public Jury Selection and Nomination Procedures
Both Candidates Dismiss Speculation About Parliamentary Bids, Pledge Full Commitment to Deputy Mayor Role

The procedures and fairness of the public nomination process for deputy mayors of the Jeonnam-Gwangju Metropolitan Integrated City became a major issue at the confirmation hearings held on October 6 for Baek Seungju, candidate for Deputy Mayor for Balanced Development, and Yoon Nansil, candidate for Deputy Mayor for Civil Sovereignty. City council members raised ongoing concerns, noting that the duties of the deputy mayors as stipulated in the former ordinance differed from the actual recruitment fields. They also questioned whether the subsequent organizational restructuring that aligned the positions was handled appropriately.

On this day, separate confirmation hearings were held for the two candidates at the Muan Office of the Gwangju Metropolitan Council. This marks the first vetting of deputy mayor candidates since the launch of the integrated metropolitan city three months ago.

At the personnel hearing held on the 6th at the Muan Office of the Gwangju Metropolitan Council, candidate Yoon Nansil for Deputy Mayor of Citizen Sovereignty (left) and candidate Baek Seungju for Deputy Mayor of Balanced Development are taking the oath. YouTube capture

Council members questioned the fact that Baek initially applied for the industries, jobs, and advanced strategic industries sector, but later became the candidate for Deputy Mayor for Balanced Development. Some also pointed out that the position of Deputy Mayor for Civil Sovereignty, for which Yoon is the candidate, did not even exist in the ordinance at the time, arguing that the system should have been established before selecting candidates.

Baek responded, "Even at the time of application, I presented an overall vision of growth and balance, not limited to the industrial sector." Yoon stated, "Formally and procedurally, there was indeed an issue," adding, "It was a problem caused by the timing of the personnel appointments coinciding with immediate organizational restructuring after integration."

Both candidates were also asked about the possibility of running for office in the future. Baek said, "My only focus is on successfully integrating the city, and I have no time to think of anything else." Yoon answered, "Other than resolving the urgent issues at hand, I have never considered anything more or less."

Baek Seungju Faces Scrutiny Over Local Knowledge, Expertise, and Asset Formation Process

At Baek's hearing, issues were intensively raised regarding his understanding of local affairs and insufficient preparedness for key local issues.

Councilor Park Man pointed out that Baek had maintained his registered residence in Seoul for about 44 years since graduating high school. Baek explained that he stays in Jeonnam-Gwangju during the weekdays because of his children's education, but spends weekends in Seoul. When Hearing Chairperson Lim Hyungseok remarked on his attending the hearing while still being officially registered in Seoul, Baek replied, "Once I settle down here, I will naturally move my official residence."

Baek was also critiqued for his lack of preparedness in the agricultural sector. When Councilor Son Namil asked about the region's agricultural exports last year, Baek said he could not recall the exact figures, but explained that seaweed exports were about 430 million dollars.

Councilor Park Pilsoon highlighted that Baek failed to adequately respond to questions about key issues such as the '100-Day Implementation Plan for Public Support and Integration,' in which he participated as a member of the transition committee, and relevant standing committees. Baek stated, "Although the plan was developed by the transition committee, I have been unable to follow up since then. I apologize. I am still lacking in understanding field conditions and plan to seek answers through on-site experience."

The process of acquiring an apartment at Gaepo Jugong Complex 4 in Seoul was also scrutinized. Councilor Lee Hyunmyeong raised suspicion of speculation, noting that Baek purchased the apartment in 2013 while working overseas and officially moved in after a reconstruction in 2016.

Baek explained, "From the time I bought it, the complex was scheduled for reconstruction," adding, "It was actually rebuilt a long time after I returned to Korea, and I only moved in for real in 2022."

Councilor Kang Kwangseok requested documentation such as the contract for Gaepo Jugong Complex 4, status of his compensation as an outside director, and a breakdown of each plot of farmland owned by his spouse. After Baek admitted that he is not personally cultivating the farmland he inherited in Haenam, submission of the agricultural land register was also requested.

Baek's expertise in agricultural, fisheries, and livestock sectors, strategies for resolving local conflicts regarding the establishment of a new medical school, as well as ways to expand the impact of semiconductor industry growth to the local area also became subjects of verification. Baek pledged to prioritize investment in underdeveloped and vulnerable areas through balanced development funds and other local tax revenues.

Intense Scrutiny on Yoon Nansil Over Public Nomination Fairness and Political Career

At Yoon's confirmation hearing, his relationship with Mayor Min Hyungbae and the fairness of the public nomination process were intensively examined.

Councilor Im Miran questioned the process by which Yoon, after serving as a senior spokesperson for Min's campaign and as chair of the Civil Sovereignty Committee during the transition period, became the top candidate in the public nomination evaluation for deputy mayor. It was noted that, of the 108 citizen jurors in the process, 21 were replaced within two days, and there was a claim that someone connected to Yoon was among those substituted in.

Councilor Noh Jinseong mentioned Yoon's participation in advisory meetings attended by Mayor Min during the public nomination recruitment period and questioned whether "someone involved in designing the system ended up as the top candidate."

Yoon responded, "I believe the public nomination process was fair. Although I participated in advisory meetings, I had no involvement in the practical meetings related to the public nomination."

Councilor Park Sanggil questioned Yoon's career, pointing out that he had been a progressive party activist and a candidate for mayor of Gwangju, for the National Assembly, and for head of Gwangsan District Office, before joining the Democratic Party in 2018. He probed possible shifts in political stance and connections to Mayor Min.

Yoon was also criticized for violating traffic regulations. Councilor Moon Aejoon pointed out that Yoon had been caught speeding 13 times between 2021 and 2024, including violations in child protection zones. Yoon replied, "I was not aware of that. There used to be no speed cameras on the road past the elementary school I take home, but apparently one was installed. I have been careless with self-management."

On policies regarding civil sovereignty, Yoon explained, "Civil sovereignty cannot be realized by bypassing the council." Regarding conflicts over large-scale projects, he asserted, "The demands of residents are always legitimate," promising to involve stakeholders in the policy decision-making process.

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