[Metro24 Hours] Governor Kim Dong-yeon, Have You Already Forgotten Your 'Choshim (初心)'?

[Asia Economy Reporter Ra Young-cheol] Kim Dong-yeon, Governor of Gyeonggi Province, has emphasized the importance of 'communication' even before taking office. The concept of the governor's office also focused on communication. He changed the rectangular table to a round one and promised to keep the governor's office door, which was firmly closed, open at all times.

At the first executive meeting after his inauguration, he even urged, "I am a beginner. If executives or staff have different opinions or suggestions, please feel free to speak up." Expectations and interest in Governor Kim were extraordinary.

On the 26th of last month, just over three months after the launch of the 8th popularly elected term, Gyeonggi Province announced the legislative notice for the 'Partial Amendment to the Ordinance on the Administrative Organization and Staffing of Gyeonggi Province.' The legislative notice period lasts until the 15th of this month. The ordinance is scheduled to be processed at the regular session plenary meeting of the Gyeonggi Provincial Council next month.

The legislative notice includes a proposal to abolish the Peace Spokesperson under the Deputy Governor of Administration 2 at the Northern Office of Gyeonggi Provincial Government. The proposal reduces the 'division' to a 'team' and incorporates it into the spokesperson system of the main office.

The reason for the amendment is to promote efficient organizational management, including the establishment of a pledge implementation organization to realize the policy vision of the 8th popularly elected term. It sounds quite reasonable at first glance.

However, it is said that there was no communication at all with the Northern Office of Gyeonggi Provincial Government while establishing this organizational restructuring plan. As it became known that it was carried out unilaterally under the main office's leadership, the public service community in northern Gyeonggi, centered on the Northern Office, is in turmoil.

The Peace Spokesperson holds a different significance as it serves as a communication channel with the northern Gyeonggi media. There are also concerns about job insecurity for the division and fixed-term public officials.

It seems clear that there will be restrictions on media coverage that asks questions, scrutinizes, and probes again on behalf of the residents of northern Gyeonggi.

There are also claims that it is questionable whether Governor Kim Dong-yeon's 'pledge' to remove the shadow of underdevelopment and neglect that has long hung over northern Gyeonggi will be carried out.

In fact, the opinions and demands of the Northern Office were not reflected. Meanwhile, Governor Kim Dong-yeon repeatedly shouts for the development of northern Gyeonggi whenever he has the chance. But in the end, he only emphasizes communication. The initial intention during the election cannot be found.

Like previous governors of Gyeonggi Province who tried to use the province with a population of over ten million as a lever for presidential votes, it seems he has also caught 'presidential disease.' When it comes to actually giving up northern Gyeonggi, he might feel reluctant and think about the cost.

This is especially why it is criticized as going against the flow of 'establishing a special autonomous province in northern Gyeonggi' and 'regional balanced development.'

Lim Sang-oh, Chairman of the Northern Gyeonggi Council of Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly, said, "Abolishing the Peace Spokesperson Office blocks opportunities for northern residents to communicate, so I oppose abolishing the entire division."

Kim Min-chul, a member of the National Assembly from the Democratic Party who proposed the establishment of Northern Gyeonggi Province, said, "It makes sense to unify messages under the main office spokesperson, but because of the characteristics of northern Gyeonggi, it is right to maintain some parts as they are to strengthen public relations functions."

Kim Dong-yeon is still considered a next presidential candidate of the Democratic Party. Although he had a spectacular debut in the June 1 local elections, his pledge to establish a 'special autonomous province in northern Gyeonggi' during his term is likely to be a major turning point in his presidential race.

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