Seongnam mayor urges Gyeonggi Province to fill deputy mayor post amid 'paralysis'

Seongnam Mayor Shin Sang-jin has formally requested Gyeonggi Province Governor Choo Mi-ae to expedite the appointment of a deputy mayor, highlighting the critical nature of the vacant position and its impact on city administration.

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The deputy mayor is an ex officio chairperson of 70 committees, including the urban planning committee, and is a key position overseeing all aspects of city administration, including personnel, finance, welfare, and transportation.

The deputy mayor post in Seongnam has been empty since June 30, nearly two months ago. Mayor Shin emphasized in a letter to Governor Choo that the deputy mayor is a key figure, serving as an ex officio chairperson for numerous committees, including the urban planning committee, and overseeing crucial aspects of city management such as finance, welfare, and transportation. The absence of this role is particularly concerning during periods of frequent disasters like heatwaves and typhoons, as there is no designated official to lead the disaster safety countermeasures headquarters.

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The absence of a practical leader to guide the disaster safety countermeasures headquarters during a time of frequent heatwaves and typhoons is a significant concern.

Furthermore, the mayor pointed to the ongoing process of designating a second special redevelopment zone in Bundang, a first-generation new town. He stressed the need for a dedicated official to manage the complex coordination of interests and broader transportation agreements related to this significant project. Mayor Shin argued that organizational restructuring is a task for the provincial headquarters, while the deputy mayor vacancy directly impacts the frontline cities' ability to respond to current issues and ensure citizen safety.

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Organizational restructuring is a task for the provincial headquarters, while the deputy mayor vacancy is an issue directly related to the frontline cities' response to current issues and citizen safety.

This issue extends beyond Seongnam, affecting seven cities and counties in Gyeonggi Province, including Siheung, Gwangju, Yangju, Icheon, Pocheon, and Gapyeong. The provincial government's decision to link personnel appointments for deputy mayors and other officials to its organizational diagnosis and restructuring, pushing them to January 2027, has led to widespread dissatisfaction. This could result in a vacancy period of approximately seven months for some positions. Public employee unions in Seongnam, Gwangju, and Yangju have joined the protest, demanding that regular personnel appointments proceed as scheduled.

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Please proceed with the deputy mayor appointments promptly, separating them from the organizational restructuring.