'Financial Soundness'... Clearing 250 Billion Won in Debt

"Over the past two years, I have endeavored to shift city administration from focusing on growth and competition to placing people at the center, and I will continue this approach for the remaining two years ahead."

Mayor Yom Tae-young made this statement at a "Two-Year Diagnosis and Tasks Forum for the Fifth Elected Term" held on the 10th by the Suwon Citizens' Coalition on the theme of "Is Mayor Yom Tae-young Doing Well?"

Prior to the forum, Mayor Yom reflected on the past two years, saying, "I caught a cold while preparing for the Suwon Hwaseong Culture Festival, and the cold hasn't gone away for more than two weeks," and added, "The position of mayor seems to be one of the toughest jobs among tough jobs."

He also stated, "Since becoming mayor, I have lost three things: personal time, friends, and health." This was an indirect expression of how the past two years have not been smooth for this young opposition party mayor from a civic activist background.

Among achievements over the past two years, Mayor Yom cited "improving financial soundness through debt repayment" as the most significant. He stated that Suwon City had repaid 250 billion won of its debt over two years, down from nearly 360 billion won in 2009.

Mayor Yom Tae-young said, "Besides this, we have created models for citizen participation such as the participatory budget system, the Good Governance Committee, and village-building projects," and added, "However, insufficient citizen participation remains a challenge we must address."

He continued, "Issues like job creation and economic revitalization that citizens are dissatisfied with regarding Suwon's city administration do not seem to be matters that a municipal leader can handle alone," and expressed, "I often feel the limitations of local autonomy."

Regarding survey results, Mayor Yom stated, "I do not think it is appropriate to score a mayor's administration, nor should city administration be influenced by such results," and said, "However, I understand and accept these results as reflecting citizens' hardships and difficulties in life."

Meanwhile, the forum was broadcast live via the internet through the Suwon Ilbo website.