Goyang City: "Organizational Restructuring Is Essential for Strengthening Citizen-Centered Administration"

"Reports of 'Trick' or 'Election Ploy' Behind Restructuring Are Not True"

Goyang Special City in Gyeonggi Province (Mayor Lee Donghwan) has expressed deep regret over allegations raised by some media outlets that its recent organizational restructuring is a “trick” or “election ploy,” stating that these claims are not true.

Exterior view of Goyang Special City Hall. Provided by Goyang Special City.

The city emphasized that the current restructuring is not a maneuver related to the relocation to the Baekseok Building or next year’s local elections, but rather an unavoidable measure to strengthen citizen-centered administrative services.

In a press release, Goyang Special City explained, “This organizational restructuring plan is not simply for organizational expansion, but to proactively respond to the rapidly changing administrative environment-such as by establishing an AI Strategy Officer-and to provide better services to citizens.” The city also made it clear that this aligns with the current administration’s direction for organizational reform.

Previously, some media outlets raised two suspicions regarding Goyang’s restructuring plan: first, that it was an expedient move to relocate departments to the Baekseok Business Building; and second, that it was intended to promote staff ahead of next year’s local elections.

A city official stated, “Linking this to the Baekseok Building relocation is completely unfounded, and the claim that it is for election-related promotions ignores the accumulated issues in organizational management.”

Since the launch of the 8th popularly elected administration, the city prepared a second round of restructuring after the first in 2023, submitting it to the city council in the second half of 2024. However, it was rejected twice, and in the first half of this year, it was also rejected twice by the council. As a result, inefficiencies in personnel management have worsened, and responses to changes in laws and the social environment have been delayed. The city explained that the current restructuring plan was drawn up to resolve these accumulated issues.

If the current restructuring plan is also rejected, it will mark the fifth failure. Article 36, Paragraph 3 of the Presidential Decree on “Regulations for Administrative Organizations and Staffing Standards of Local Governments” stipulates that local councils should make efforts to promptly handle the executive branch’s organizational restructuring plans. Therefore, Goyang Special City Council has a duty to make responsible decisions for the benefit of citizens, rather than repeating ongoing controversies.

The city particularly emphasized that the current plan was not pushed through unilaterally. This year, it established the “2025 Organizational Diagnosis Consultative Body,” which held four meetings involving about 30 participants, including city council members, labor union representatives, external experts, and working-level public officials representing each department (grades 6-7). The consultative body focused on thoroughly discussing the appropriateness of departmental functions and personnel allocation within four subcommittees, prioritizing practicality and validity.

A city official said, “This restructuring is a realistic alternative to support the 8th popularly elected administration’s policies and to realize citizen-centered administration in line with the new government. Since it is being promoted with citizens’ administrative benefits as the top priority, rather than political controversy, we will continue to provide sufficient explanations and communication going forward.”

Goyang Special City expects that, if the current restructuring plan passes the city council’s review, it will serve as an opportunity to enhance citizen benefits and strengthen the expertise and efficiency of administrative services.

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