Kwon Tae-sung, Vice Chairman of the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission, to Conclude Public Service at Bian Island Site as Promised

2018 Promise Kept: "Will Return to Gunsan Bian-do Rowing on Last Day of Term"

Kwon Tae-seong, Vice Chairman of the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission (third from the left), visited Daejeon Lohas Camping Site near Daecheong Lake, a water source protection area, on the afternoon of the 5th of last month. He is receiving an explanation from Chungbuk Province about the necessity of partially lifting the water source protection designation for the upper Daecheong Lake area (Cheongnamdae). (Photo by Yonhap News)

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] Kwon Taesung, Vice Chairman of the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission, has kept his promise to conclude his public service career at the site of a civil complaint where he mediated a 17-year-long resident conflict.

On the 27th, the Commission announced that Vice Chairman Kwon will visit the civil complaint site on Bian Island, Gunsan City, Jeollabuk-do, on the 28th. He will conclude his 34 years and 4 months of public service on Bian Island.

Previously, on December 18, 2018, Vice Chairman Kwon mediated a conflict that had lasted 17 years between residents of Buan County’s Galyeok Port and Gunsan’s Bian Island over the use of the Saemangeum seawall in Jeollabuk-do.

Bian Island was the only domestic island area without regular maritime transportation, but since December last year, a regular ferry service has been operating.

At the 2018 mediation meeting, Vice Chairman Kwon promised, "Once the ferry is built, I will visit the site again and ride the ferry."

A Commission official said, "Vice Chairman Kwon has set a good example of responsible administration by keeping his promise as he concludes his 34 years of public service."

Vice Chairman Kwon shared his connection with the sea in front of Saemangeum formed during his public service career.

In 1993, he investigated a ferry sinking accident off Wido, Buan County, Jeollabuk-do, which resulted in 292 deaths, holding 38 public officials accountable. At that time, Vice Chairman Kwon was affiliated with the Prime Minister’s Office and conducted the investigation and prepared the comprehensive report.

In 2005, while overseeing Saemangeum affairs, he led joint responses among related agencies to ensure smooth progress of the seawall closure construction.

From May 2012, he served as the head of the Saemangeum Project Promotion Planning Group, directing the project comprehensively. He successfully prepared for the passage of the Saemangeum Development Special Act in the National Assembly and the opening of the Saemangeum Development Agency.

From May 2014, he worked as a standing commissioner of the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission, and from December 2017, as its vice chairman, resolving grievances nationwide.

He visited areas northward including Goseong and Yanggu in Gangwon-do, Yeoncheon in Gyeonggi-do; southward including Geoje, Namhae, Haenam, Yeosu, Jindo, and Jeju; eastward including Ulsan, Gangneung, Donghae, Uljin, and Gyeongju; and westward including Incheon, Taean, Gunsan, Buan, and Seosan.

A Commission official said, "Vice Chairman Kwon left a message that ‘the Commission takes full responsibility for the sites it mediates’ by listening to residents’ opinions through site visits, identifying necessary measures after mediation, and following through."

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