After Cutting the Budget in a “Fiscal Emergency,” Governor Choo Mi-ae Faces Controversy Over a 1.22 Billion-Won Official Residence

Gyeonggi Governor Choo Mi-ae declared a “fiscal emergency” and ordered large-scale spending restructuring. The province is now facing questions over its decision to use a leased apartment costing 1.22 billion won as her official residence.

According to Gyeonggi Province, it signed the lease in June for a 156-square-meter apartment in Suwon’s Gwanggyo New Town, near the provincial government offices. Choo moved in after taking office in July. Some provincial officials have questioned whether the arrangement matches residents’ expectations.

Choo formally declared the fiscal emergency on the 5th of the previous month. The province then drafted a supplementary budget containing 546.5 billion won in spending adjustments. It also cut some welfare-related allocations, including about 10 million won for participation in the National Public Officials’ Athletic Meet.

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Does this meet the standards of the residents?

The province said that reviewing and redesigning administrative work had to come before personnel decisions to overcome the fiscal crisis. It consequently postponed regular second-half personnel appointments, including deputy mayors and deputy county heads in Gyeonggi’s lower-level local governments, until January next year.

The official residence has become a point of controversy because it sits alongside that austerity drive. The article’s excerpt ends while describing Choo’s approach under the fiscal emergency.

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Reviewing and redesigning administrative work must inevitably come before personnel decisions to overcome the fiscal crisis.