Jeju Governor to Appoint Mayors Under Scrutiny Amid Calls for Reform

Jeju Island's administrative mayor system, a unique structure where the provincial governor appoints the mayors of Jeju City and Seogwipo City, is once again at the center of debate as the new provincial administration grapples with vacant mayoral positions. The current system, established in 2006 with the launch of the Jeju Special Self-Governing Province, abolished elected local governments in favor of administrative efficiency, leaving Jeju as the only region in South Korea without elected mayors.

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The mayors of Jeju City and Seogwipo City are appointed as Grade 2 officials or equivalent contract public servants, a rank below the provincial vice governor.

The process for filling the current vacancies underscores the system's limitations. After a public recruitment and interview process, the candidates for Jeju mayor and Seogwipo mayor are awaiting the governor's nomination and a subsequent confirmation hearing by the Jeju Provincial Council. Officials anticipate the new mayors might begin their duties by the end of next month, aligning with the regular personnel appointments scheduled for August 25.

Under the administrative mayor system, the mayors of Jeju City (population 480,000) and Seogwipo City (population 180,000) are appointed as Grade 2 officials or equivalent contract public servants, a rank below the provincial vice governor. Their terms are limited to two years. Critics argue that this system deprives residents of direct representation and leaves mayors with insufficient authority and responsibility to effectively address local issues such as waste management, welfare, transportation, and parking.

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The mayor had little authority, making it difficult to voice opinions on local issues. Furthermore, policies decided with difficulty lacked continuity due to the two-year term.

Former administrative mayors have described the role as lacking influence, with limited ability to advocate for regional concerns and a lack of policy continuity due to short terms. The situation is further complicated by the provincial government's increasing control over appointments, even down to local township and village heads. Speculation about pre-selected candidates, particularly the rumored appointment of a former provincial council speaker to the Jeju mayor position, has fueled public discontent, raising questions about the appropriateness of former legislative leaders moving into administrative roles.

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These days, even township and village heads are almost entirely appointed by the Jeju Provincial Government, making it difficult for the mayor to mobilize public officials.

Efforts to reform the system, including former Governor Oh Young-hoon's proposal to revive elected local councils, have previously failed due to opposition from local National Assembly members. The current Governor, Wi Sung-bok, has indicated a focus on strengthening the responsibilities of administrative mayors rather than immediately pursuing directly elected mayors. This approach, however, does little to address the core concerns about democratic representation and local autonomy.

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The very idea of a former council speaker, who holds a higher protocol ranking, becoming an administrative mayor with no protocol ranking is strange.