[Interview] Hwang Myeong-seon "Representative of Grassroots Politics... Fulfilling the Mission of Decentralization"

Interview with Democratic Party Supreme Council Candidate ③

Following Mayor Yeom Tae-young, the first local government head elected as Democratic Party Supreme Council member
Aiming to continue the task of local autonomy and decentralization
Emphasizes own role focusing on 'party-centered party' and 'grassroots livelihood party'
Gathering voices from different local sites to reflect in central policies

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Ju-yeon] "I am not running as an individual, but as a representative of grassroots decentralization. I will focus on representing 228 cities, counties, and districts to make the Democratic Party of Korea fulfill its role as a 'people's livelihood party.'"

Hwang Myung-seon, mayor of Nonsan (37th, 38th, and 39th terms), who is running as a candidate for the Democratic Party of Korea's Supreme Council member, said in a phone interview with Asia Economy on the 28th, "In the crisis of halting decentralization, I will open the era of grassroots decentralization without interruption." This expresses his intention to continue the unfinished task of local autonomy decentralization left by Yeom Tae-young, mayor of Suwon, who resigned after the total resignation of the leadership following the April 7 by-elections.

Hwang Myung-seon, candidate for the Democratic Party's Supreme Council and mayor of Nonsan. Photo by Hwang Myung-seon campaign team

Mayor Hwang, who serves as the president of the National Association of Mayors, County Heads, and District Heads, is considered a strong candidate to fill the position of Yeom, who was the first local government head to be elected as a Supreme Council member of the Democratic Party last year. Local government heads nationwide even pooled a deposit of 30 million KRW to register Hwang as a candidate.

Mayor Hwang emphasized that if he becomes a Supreme Council member, he will do his part to make the party a "party where members are the owners" and a "people's livelihood party representing grassroots politics." He said, "To build a party that lasts 100 years, we must listen to the voices of party members." This is because the party leadership may change with each election, but the party members remain consistent.

He also stressed the role of local committees. His idea is to create a structure where residents directly discuss and participate in various issues within each autonomous district through local committees, propose them to district mayors, and proceed through council ordinances to legislation.

Mayor Hwang said, "Not only at the party level but also at the local committee level, we should establish bodies like 'People's Livelihood Committees' to address community issues such as child abuse and elderly problems, propose policies, and set implementation plans." He added, "When residents and party members set agendas and go through discussions, a sense of ownership naturally arises," and "This allows the creation of policies that are most needed and tangible on the ground, reducing errors that come from 'desk administration.'" Furthermore, he stated, "It is necessary to have people who can capture the 'details' that reflect the voices from different local sites," reiterating his aspirations as a Supreme Council candidate.

He evaluated, "Mayor Yeom has played a leading role in revising the Local Autonomy Act as a Supreme Council member," and said, "I will contribute to bringing good policy cases needed by local governments on the ground, such as essential workers and children in care, to the national agenda." He emphasized, "This is the change and innovation of grassroots politics and the role of the party."

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