Mayor Chae In-seok Special Interview "Education and Childcare are Keywords for Hwaseong's Development"

Just over two months into his tenure, Hwaseong Mayor Chae In-seok has focused on thoroughly examining every corner of Hwaseong to identify necessary improvements and areas for development. Mayor Chae is now seeking solutions to address various local issues and city fiscal challenges. Identifying "education and childcare" as the key drivers for regional development—including the success of land development projects and revitalization of the local economy—he is now moving forward with designating an education special zone and establishing measures to strengthen public education. Mayor Chae expressed optimism about Hwaseong's future, predicting that "the city will grow into a city of 1 million people within five years" and "will emerge as the best city not only in Korea but in the world."

▲ The past two months have been spent understanding the tasks at hand. Hwaseong is not a stagnant city—the more you observe it, the more new aspects emerge. The challenge is how to address these issues.
After examining every corner of the city over two months, I've found that Hwaseong is a city where numerous projects are underway and there is much work to be done, while simultaneously being a city where vision comes alive. To address the unplanned development, regional imbalance, revitalization of the local economy, and traffic congestion that our city faces, I believe above all else it is necessary to create educational conditions that enable people to settle and reside here.

- You have consistently emphasized that the keyword for city development is education. What are your plans to achieve this?

▲ Currently, approximately 20,000 people comprising the top 5 percent income earners in Hwaseong are not settling in the city but are leaving for areas like Gangnam and Bundang where educational conditions are better. Additionally, commuting costs for workers in the Ujeong and Jangan areas, including those at Kia Motors, reach 23 billion won annually. In fact, LH Corporation was attempting to abandon the Jangan area due to profitability concerns. The real reason they were reluctant to proceed with sales stems from a different issue—the belief that good private academies won't be established there; in other words, education.

Moreover, necessary infrastructure must be built due to worker commuting, and since residential conditions are not established and workers commute daily, the Jangan area's economy is in dire straits. All these problems stem from education issues, with workers residing near quality private academies that match their salary levels.

That is, the solution must be addressed through education and childcare. By creating an educational environment superior to Gangnam and enabling workers to settle in the region, we can simultaneously resolve traffic congestion while fostering a circular economic system where local consumption revitalizes the local economy.

To this end, we are first coordinating with LH Corporation to transform the Jangan district into a pilot specialized education district. We are also preparing various measures including recruitment of excellent teachers, limiting class sizes to approximately 20 students, expanding after-school programs, and most importantly, creating schools as multiplex-concept complex cultural spaces that residents can utilize. Looking at new city education infrastructure, schools become nearly unused spaces after dismissal time. This can be addressed through cultural facilities, recreational sports spaces like soccer clubs, swimming pools, and theaters.

There are also possibilities of utilizing education majors as interns or even considering them as teachers. By specializing in ways that allow teachers to conduct research, such as expanding after-school programs, we can reach a level where students don't need private academies, thereby reducing private education costs.

By revitalizing public education in this way, we can ensure profitability allowing sales at 7 million won per 3.3 square meters. Businesses will certainly participate in revitalizing public education. For this purpose, an MOU is expected to be signed involving LH Corporation, Hwaseong City, Kia Motors, the Provincial Education Office, and local representatives. Dongtan 2 New City will also be developed with this concept, making it a city where childcare and public education are best and where entrusting children is convenient.

- Hwaseong is on the verge of surpassing a population of 500,000, isn't it?

▲ Once the population exceeds 500,000, local finances will increase due to increased transfer tax allocation. Most importantly, Hwaseong will grow into a symbolic large city. This is a time to have plans and concepts for a large city, including organizational restructuring (with one more department). Since population is increasing primarily in new cities due to Dongtan move-ins, preparation in this area is necessary. The experience and insights gained from areas where administrative services have lagged will become valuable assets for each department and division.

We are now creating manuals to address complaints raised by Dongtan residents and to change the perception that the city favors construction companies. While residents with complaints have visited city hall, we are now proactively seeking them out and creating manuals for proper complaint processing. Regarding roads, construction, and other areas residents request, if we proceed with credible administration and provide proactive guidance, there should be no major issues.

- Recently, the budget for free school meals in urban areas was cut during the city council's extraordinary session. What are your thoughts?

▲ During the July city council extraordinary session, the budget for free school meals for grades 5-6 in urban areas was cut. It is regrettable that the budget proposal submitted to honor educational equality and promises to citizens was reduced, but I regard it as the choice of city councilors considering Hwaseong's fiscal situation. Believing free school meals are absolutely necessary, I will steadily implement them from next year. Additionally, I plan to implement free school meals for grades up to 3 in urban elementary schools next year, and for all elementary schools citywide by 2012.

Currently, a task force team for education has been organized and is operating within the Human Resources Development Division. We will continue to coordinate with the Provincial Education Office to implement the education policies our city envisions.

- How is Hwaseong's city image and branding being promoted?

▲ Universal Studios will transform Korea's tourism map, Songsan Green City will be Korea's first canal city, and the Natural History Museum will further establish our city's growth beyond any other city. In particular, through careful preparation, we are doing our utmost to attract the Natural History Museum. Hwaseong is the fastest-developing and growing city in Korea, a city with even more promising prospects. Additionally, we plan to establish Hwaseong's image as an education city. By creating an educational environment superior to Gangnam, we aim to make a city that citizens are proud of and one where everyone wants to live.

- Was the damage from Typhoon Kompasu severe?

▲ The damage in the Songsan and Mado areas is enormous. Usable fruit has fallen, and in some apple orchards this was the first harvest of the season, yet all the fruit fell and trees broke—six years of effort went to waste. Above all, the secondary and tertiary damages are significant. When power outages prevent cattle milking, cows develop mastitis, and chickens have perished.

We are providing support through national treasury, agricultural cooperatives, and city funds. Suwon has provided workforce support and established a Hwaseong agricultural product sales booth in Gwon-seon-gu's Guwon-dong, and Osan City has also dispatched civil servants for recovery support—neighboring cities are providing assistance. Our farmers are grateful for the support from Suwon and Osan City. We expect recovery to be completed before Chuseok.

- Finally, a word to citizens and Suwon Ilbo readers

▲ City finances are in a very difficult situation beyond words. We have begun restructuring subsidiary public enterprises and are already showing results. Currently, we are focused on building social safety nets. With the move-in to Dongtan New City and prospects of a population of 1 million within five years due to Dongtan 2 New City and Songsan Green City, we will prioritize creating universal welfare infrastructure while building from the basics.

I became mayor with the meaning of "build a solid foundation even if not flashy, and steadily construct infrastructure." I will lead Hwaseong's finances with principle and credibility. It seems we must unite everyone's efforts and embrace diversified values so that citizens become one.

I will consistently build the foundation for childcare, education, and environmental improvement during my term, and once these are completed, Hwaseong will become the best city in Korea and even the world. My dream is to create a city where the environment comes alive and breathing, where people can have children and provide education, and where people exchange genuine affection. Hwaseong is a place where all these dreams that Suwon and Seoul cannot create are possible.