Sim Jae-in: "Improve Transfer Systems and Bypass Roads to Resolve Traffic Congestion"
● Moderator : Lee Yun-gyu (Kyonggi University Professor)
● Panelists : Park Wan-ki (Director of Suwon Citizens' Coalition for Economic Justice and Transparency), Lee Jong-ryung (Certified Public Accountant), Kim Ki-won (Political Affairs Director of Suwon Ilbo)
● Date & Venue : May 14, 4 p.m., Grand Conference Room, Hwaseong Operation Foundation Sarangchaee
● Organized by : Suwon Ilbo & Suwon Citizens' Coalition for Economic Justice and Transparency
◆Policy Statement (within 5 minutes)
I started my first job at the Suwon City Hall Accounting Division and worked there for four years before transferring to the Provincial Government Office after passing an exam. I gained experience in all areas of administration including budgeting, personnel, and secretarial affairs, and served as deputy mayor three times. During this time, I pursued my wish to continue my studies by completing an MBA from Suwon Ajou University's Graduate School of Business, majoring in organizational psychology. Many people ask me why I left civil service to run for office. I ended my public service career on March 3 as Director of Autonomous Administration.
I dreamed of running for Suwon mayor about three to four years ago while serving as deputy mayor of Pocheon. After exercising acting authority for about eight months and working passively under the mayor's directives, I realized through actual experience that I could only implement policies directly connected with the region and residents if I became mayor. Based on that experience, when considering what to do after administrative work, I could have continued in public service for two more years, but due to the election cycle, I decided to run this March.
With 35 years of administrative experience, I decided to run for mayor to have the opportunity to implement my ideas in my hometown where I live.
I believe Suwon has satisfied many external conditions. Now is the time to strengthen what is lacking in substance. It is necessary to approach and manage city administration differently. If I become mayor, I believe administration means addressing the areas that residents actually need and want without reservation or reluctance, ensuring they do not complain of inconvenience, and achieving this naturally. Administration requires close connection with residents and working within the community. From that perspective, I believe I am qualified with extensive administrative experience.
We should elect a ruling party candidate with power and influence so that Suwon can develop further. I appreciate your support.
■ Redevelopment & Housing Policy Establish Urban Development Corporation... Enhance Expertise
■ Public Transportation Policy Support Light Rail Transit... Future Implementation to be Decided
■ Budget Management & Fiscal Operations If Necessary for Jiji-dae Golf Course, Attract Private Investment
■ Urban Management Policy Maintain Current Framework... Oppose Excessive Zoning Changes
■ Regional Economic Revitalization Address Concentration in West Suwon IT & BT Cluster
◆Meeting Topics by Category:
■ Redevelopment and Housing Policy
Director Park Wan-ki : Emphasized the public role through establishing dispute mediation committees to resolve resident conflicts in redevelopment projects. Current redevelopment projects are unable to secure initial construction costs and are connected to corruption. Suwon City must significantly strengthen the residential environment improvement fund. Including this, please share your views on redevelopment policy.
Sim : I initially advocated for establishing a Suwon Urban Development Corporation related to redevelopment. Currently, more than 20 redevelopment projects are underway. We should establish an urban development corporation to enable dedicated departments to work professionally. We should also smooth coordination between developers and administrative agencies. We plan to continue promoting residential environment improvement projects.
Park : Are you willing to introduce rental and long-term jeonse (deposit lease) housing? Although there may be opposition due to lack of business viability, would you consider implementing this? Along with this, please discuss plans for stabilizing low-income housing.
Sim : Business viability and public interest inevitably conflict. We must navigate this harmoniously within administration. We should conduct projects at the administrative level while having developers concede some development profits through coordination. Unilaterally imposing Seoul City's policy framework or forcibly mandating it could have side effects.
Park : I understand that among your redevelopment pledges, you announced you would ease floor area ratios instead of making long-term rental housing mandatory. Are you accepting Seoul City's excellent policies regarding floor area ratios?
Sim : We should not uniformly apply different regional conditions. I do not mean I will uniformly accept Seoul City's proposal. However, I will apply aspects concerning floor area ratios.
■ Public Transportation Policy
Accountant Lee Jong-ryung : Citizens are dissatisfied with public transportation policies such as bus frequency intervals. Compared to other cities, these issues have not improved over time, which is also noted. If you are elected, how will you develop Suwon's public transportation policy?
Sim : We must apply measures proposed by experts to suit local conditions to make them convenient. I believe there are no additional special policy alternatives to addressing transportation issues other than applying multiple policies on-site. First, by shifting from existing car-centered policy to bus-centered (public transportation-centered) road environments through transfer systems, bus and train connection networks, bypass road improvements, and bus rapid transit introduction, we can improve traffic convenience. To achieve this, we cannot make uniform judgments; administration must harmoniously resolve transportation issues in different environments such as the city center, Yeongtong, and Gwanggyo New City.
Lee : You mentioned BRT plans, but Suwon City previously shelved the light rail project due to issues with public transportation connectivity, criticism of the elevated method, and lack of funding measures. Please clarify your views on light rail transit.
Sim : I believe light rail transit is necessary. However, we must minimize noise issues and resident harm during construction. Although I acknowledge the need for light rail transit, I find it difficult to answer whether it will be implemented. We will organize Suwon's overall transportation system and determine future implementation through comprehensive review.
■ Budget Management & Fiscal Operations
Lee : Suwon's financial self-reliance has been declining since its peak in the late 1990s. Large-scale housing development projects have decreased since the late 1980s, ending with the Maetan District 4 Project. Additionally, as social welfare spending increases, fiscal deterioration is expected. What is your plan for securing insufficient resources and executing the budget?
Sim : Financial self-reliance is deteriorating. Recently, it is understood to have fallen from 80% to the mid-70s. The more welfare budget, the better, right? Currently, it is larger compared to other provinces. However, since welfare is a central government function, national and provincial funds are necessary. Of course, city funds must also cover much. We will secure national and provincial funds by operating professional advisory teams from all sectors regarding resource allocation and project priorities. Particularly, I am confident in revenue expansion. I will coordinate revenue and expenditure fairly.
Lee : When local finances deteriorate, it becomes difficult to expand urban infrastructure. From this perspective, please share your thoughts on developing the Jiji-dae Park through private investment.
Sim : When applying management logic, we should utilize private investment well rather than simply working with the 100 won we have. Considering local issues and resource allocation, the role of local governments and private investment differs by project. Regarding the Jiji-dae private investment park plan, the policymaker at the time of decision thought it optimal, so I cannot judge it right or wrong. If necessary, I also plan to utilize private investment.
The same applies to the golf course. Since it has been adopted as an official event in the Asian Games, it is certainly a necessary sports facility. The idea that it is an elitist sport is outdated thinking. If private investment is necessary, I think proceeding with golf courses or similar projects together is acceptable.
■ Suwon City Urban Management Policy
Park : Suwon has the highest population density among major cities excluding Seoul. Population will continue to increase in coming years and likely exceed development project target populations. There are many requests for zoning changes from factories and others. What are your thoughts on such zoning changes and do you have plans to recover development profits from SK Chemicals through long-term jeonse housing?
Sim : I oppose excessively issuing zoning changes. On the premise that we should maintain the existing framework and utilize it appropriately for residential and living environments, we will proceed with zoning changes only when absolutely necessary.
Park : There are many criticisms that the existing city planning committee is closed. The private sector cannot participate, and information is not disclosed. What is your view on this?
Sim : I think one or two people recommended by citizen groups are necessary. Regarding information disclosure of city planning meetings, individual committee members' statements becoming public could cause side effects. Particularly if disclosed contents involve conflicting interests in land and buildings, it would be problematic. This is why meeting minutes were not disclosed.
Park : There are many cases requesting conversion of sites like the Rural Development Administration to parks, cultural, and sports facilities. This year, with 14 public institutions relocating from Suwon, keeping only the Provincial Administrative Training Institute and attempting to sell large land plots for apartment development—what is your opinion?
Sim : Though differing from the landowners' thinking, we will input advanced industrial complexes and utilize surrounding areas as rest and green spaces for residents. Realistically, there will be various challenges. We should coordinate with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport to guide zoning changes favorably for Suwon.
■ Regional Economic Revitalization
Director Kim Ki-won : While Suwon has grown into a city of 1.1 million, it has not become an economically self-reliant city. What plans do you have for regional economic revitalization to achieve self-reliant city growth? Additionally, the economic base tends to be dependent on Samsung, and Suwon Industrial Complex has low occupancy rates. What are your company recruitment strategies?
Sim : Regarding revenue expansion, many candidates mention attracting businesses. However, this is not something anyone can do.
Company recruitment must satisfy both revenue expansion and job creation. From what I understand, Samsung's actual tax contribution is approximately 8% of Suwon's total revenue. This suggests Samsung's significant role in Suwon. Particularly, as a premier brand company exists in Suwon, Samsung benefits and Suwon also benefits accordingly. Going forward, to address concentration issues, we will establish IT and BT clusters in west Suwon involving universities and private sector companies to create self-reliant complexes.
Kim : Some say that Sim, as a civil servant background, does not well understand company dynamics and conditions, and there are criticisms that company recruitment will face considerable difficulties. How do you respond to this?
Sim : Company recruitment cannot be achieved by one person's effort alone. As I mentioned earlier, I believe the advantage is significant as a ruling party candidate with influence. I have also held important positions such as director of Gyeonggi Province's Autonomous Administration handling foreign investment and company recruitment. Going forward, working with company recruitment experts combined with my administrative experience, I believe I can recruit companies better than anyone.
■ Personnel Affairs
Kim : Currently Suwon faces problems with civil servant congestion and certain high school graduates monopolizing key positions, causing dysfunction. Passive administration is leading to organizational aging and morale decline. There are concerns you may not be free from this either. If elected, how do you plan to conduct Suwon's personnel administration?
Sim : I served as director of autonomous administration until March and resigned. The director of autonomous administration handles personnel. Have you heard criticism that provincial personnel has favored certain high school graduates? Over 35 years in administration, I gained 8 years of experience in personnel affairs. My standard for personnel is providing incentives to capable and competent people and giving personnel disadvantages to those with problems.
I have worked to maintain fair personnel practices ensuring public official morale and serving as a foundation for organizational management, and I plan to continue this approach.
Kim : Many local governments are under investigation for allegations of cronyism and regional corruption. There are repeated problems where unvetted support forces are mobilized to form the electoral base. How will you manage cronies and election staff going forward?
Sim : My campaign office does not consist only of certain high school graduates. It comprises diverse school alumni to the extent that all Suwon high school alumni associations could be formed. We should hire talented people from the private sector, not just regular civil servants. Rather than the mayor unilaterally bringing people, I think we can outsource people with expertise in specialized fields. However, I will not conduct personnel through blood or school ties.
◆Internet and Audience Questions:
-How do you plan to use development profits from Gwanggyo New City?
Sim : My personal answer is that if no agreement was made, the profits should go to local residents and surrounding residents.
-What do you think about plans to expand Suwon Aeging Station without improving public transportation access or transfer parking?
Sim : Transfer parking is a necessary facility. However, this is a matter of high-level policy judgment by Aeging. We cannot force private companies to construct transfer parking facilities.
-What is the development direction for west Suwon?
Sim : The basic idea for west Suwon is to develop a self-reliant complex centered on advanced industry with schools, housing, hospitals, and other facilities. The airfield should ideally be relocated in principle, but has been maintained due to the larger security framework.
Currently, we need to focus on what measures to provide residents regarding altitude restrictions, various regulations, infringement on learning rights, and health concerns from noise. The Ministry of Defense has relaxed altitude restrictions, but I understand there are no significant benefits for Suwon City.
Additionally, the emergency runway has never been used since designation. I will personally contact the 10th Combat Aviation Wing to resolve civil complaints related to the emergency runway. I am considering ways to provide partial convenience such as expanding heating facilities at nearby schools or encouraging noise mitigation facilities—not complete solutions but measures that help.
-Long-term unexecuted facilities restricting citizens' property rights require 2 trillion won in compensation. How do you plan to resolve this?
Sim : Long-standing complaints regarding unexecuted facilities have always existed. Administration should address inconveniences to citizens by finding appropriate compensation elsewhere and inducing cooperation.
-What are your thoughts on consolidating Hwaseong, Suwon, and Osan administrative districts?
Sim : Fundamentally, I support consolidation, but consolidation should not be forced or coerced physically. I support consolidation through citizen referendums for regions with cultural and historical homogeneity sharing common roots. I believe this is desirable from a metropolitan administration perspective for citizen-centered administration.
-Do you have plans to address the sex trade district in front of Suwon Station?
Sim : Honestly, I am unaware whether a sex trade district exists in front of Suwon Station, so I cannot provide an answer. I sincerely apologize to the audience member who asked the question.
-Do you have solutions for resolving the suspended Hwaseong Seongryeoksa restoration project?
Sim : I toured the Nam-su District site and felt residents' suffering deeply enough to cause headaches. I also answered Nam-su residents that I would 'work on residents' behalf using 35 years of administrative experience and knowledge.' However, for issues beyond the mayor's authority, I will coordinate with Gyeonggi Province and cultural heritage organizations to implement realistically while providing feasibility and representing local residents.
◆Closing Remarks:
I have answered the questions, but I apologize for inadequate responses. Those areas were supplemented with answers from long administrative experience. Having received endorsement and attended this forum immediately, I hope you understand the limitations.
Not just anyone can work for Suwon's development. One must understand administration, grasp the essence, know personnel, and understand organizations to become mayor. While the expression is rough, I want to emphasize this is not a position for just anyone. I believe when a candidate selected through difficult processes can work for Suwon with ruling party mayors and provincial representatives speaking in one voice and working toward one policy and direction, it will benefit Suwon citizens. At minimum, my dream is to make Suwon a desirable city so that people nationwide can say "let's go live in Suwon," and "living in Suwon is good" across generations. This is also why I dare suggest electing a strong ruling party candidate.
What I can say among various candidates is that as a civil servant background, I will work through broad communication with many people. As I have done so far, I will work with integrity. I will work with internal honesty. Like civil service ethics guidelines, I will work for citizens. Is not the work of a first-term politician or at least the mayor's work administrative? Work that residents can directly experience cannot happen overnight. I will work for local residents. Thank you.
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