Bold Criticism on Civic Convenience and Daily Economy

The Suwon City Council Urban Environment Committee (Chairman Kim Jin-woo) concluded its 2011 administrative audit by January 2nd and demanded active measures from the executive branch on matters related to civic convenience, daily economy, and sensitive issues.

Chairman Kim Jin-woo (Democratic Party, Seodun, Guun, and Ipbuk-dong) pointed out, "It is a problem in architectural administration that buildings constructed over 10 years ago are included among illegal buildings," to which the Housing Construction Division responded, "Apart from imposing enforcement fines, we will review relevant laws and consider legalization measures if they meet legal standards."

Councilor Baek Jong-heon (Democratic Party, Yeongwon 1, 2, and Taejang-dong) requested, "Take measures to reduce both budget and personnel for delegated duties from higher-level agencies, and review considering the regional identity when deciding school names, place names, and subway station names." The Urban Planning Division promised to comprehensively review regional characteristics and identity when determining place names.

In response to Councilor Kim Myung-ok's (Democratic Party, Haenggung and Ingye-dong) inquiry to "prepare measures to resolve long-stalled urban planning facilities through resolving land compensation projects and establishing special accounting funds," the Urban Planning Division stated, "We are currently conducting a study to prepare solutions for long-stalled urban planning facilities, and we plan to hold special committee meetings to prepare rational measures, but it is difficult to allocate from the general account."

Councilor Byeon Sang-woo (Democratic Labor Party, Maegyo, Maesan, Godeung, and Hwaseo 1, 2-dong) emphasized that when considering measures for public institution site utilization, local conditions, resident opinions, and council opinions should be comprehensively gathered and reflected.

The Urban Planning Division responded, "We will explain usage plans to the council in advance, gather opinions, and coordinate with the Ministry of Land, Marine and Fisheries accordingly."

When Councilor Shim Sang-ho (Conservative Party, Jeongja 2, 3-dong) asked, "Road name address number plates and road name signs were installed in Siwon Station, but some areas were missing—were they reattached?" the Land Information Division answered, "Facility installation has been completed in areas where attachment was omitted and in redevelopment areas."

Councilor Lee Dae-young (Conservative Party, Yeongwon 1, 2, and Taejang-dong) inquired, "For the effective implementation of sign maintenance, coordinate between related departments when issuing business licenses for food service establishments," to which the Urban Planning Standing Planning Unit responded, "We will process existing and new signs through integrated civil complaints (prior referral system) so that landscape projects can be properly established."

Councilor Lee Hyun-gu (Democratic Party, Maetan 1, 2, and Woncheon-dong) pointed out, "The public manager system needs to be implemented quickly, but given the current organizational structure, operating the public management system will be difficult. The organization must be reinforced so that the city directly operates and manages it rather than having problems arise from outsourcing."

The Urban Regeneration Division responded, "Under the 2010 basic plan, redevelopment and reconstruction areas have had associations established in all but 2-3 districts, making it difficult to apply the public management system, but for redevelopment planned areas under the 2020 basic plan to be announced, we will apply the public management system by establishing at least one dedicated team."

Councilor Lee Hye-ryeon (Conservative Party, Maegyo, Maesan, Godeung, and Hwaseo 1, 2-dong) requested administrative improvement, stating, "The basic infrastructure support costs for the Godeung District residential environment improvement project are too low and require additional support, and we ask that you minimize costs by considering covering only additional water and sewerage installation expenses."

The Urban Regeneration Division responded, "We are making efforts to secure additional central and provincial government funds for basic infrastructure costs," and "We will actively coordinate with relevant departments regarding water and sewerage installation expenses."

Councilor Choi Jung-sung (Conservative Party, Ji, Uman 1, 2-dong) requested, "While cracking down on illegal activities at Gwanggyo restaurants, apply the legal standards fairly and consistently and conduct thorough enforcement."

The Land Information Division responded, "During the environmental improvement district project being promoted by the Water Management Division, we will reflect the Gwanggyo restaurant issue, agricultural activation issues, and specialty complex development to promote legalization and improvement."

The Urban Environment Committee boldly pointed out shortcomings during this administrative audit and demanded administrative improvements, and the executive branch responded that it would actively prepare improvement and future measures for relevant matters.