Local Government Leaders Taking a More Modest Approach, Downgrading Official Vehicles

Local government leaders in Gyeonggi Province during the 6th civilian-elected term are taking a more humble approach and continuing their efforts for on-site communication with constituents.

They are downgrading the grade of official vehicles used by their predecessors, opening public offices, and significantly increasing opportunities for contact with citizens.

According to provincial authorities on the 13th, Nam Kyoung-pil, Gyeonggi Province governor who advocates as an "innovative governor," has changed his official vehicle from a Chairma W to a Carnival, a van.

The change is driven by both vehicle maintenance costs and on-site mobility. The existing Chairma W is a 2011 model with a 3,598cc engine. The purchase price was 70.58 million won, and it has already exceeded 100,000 kilometers in mileage.

The replacement Carnival Noblesse has a 2,195cc engine, reducing the displacement by more than 1,400cc compared to the Chairma, and costs 39.7 million won, about half the price of the previous vehicle.

The existing official vehicle will be used as a protocol vehicle when overseas dignitaries visit Gyeonggi Province.

Governor Nam has also decided to open the governor's residence to the public for the first time in 47 years. The residence will be renovated to serve as a wedding hall for low-income and marginalized groups, and will be used as a guest house for foreign visitors during regular times.

Governor Nam also held the first "Let's Meet the Governor" session on the 11th for communication with residents. Every Friday, he personally counsels citizens while visiting the provincial office and the northern provincial office's civil complaint centers.

Kang Deuk-gu, elected as the chairman of the Gyeonggi Province Council during the first half of the 9th term on the 8th, also changed his official vehicle upon taking office.

As he found the existing official vehicle burdensome, Chairman Kang replaced a 3,800cc Equus with a 2,200cc Carnival that staff members had been using.

The Equus, purchased in November 2010 and driven 160,000 kilometers, will be used for VIP protocol purposes.

Lee Pil-woon, mayor of Anyang, also changed his official vehicle. Upon taking office, he replaced a 3,200cc Chairma W with a 2,000cc Sonata.

The Chairma W, purchased in January 2011, will be used as a protocol vehicle for VIPs visiting Anyang.

The Sonata he is currently driving was purchased in January 2005 and was driven by staff for nearly ten years. It is one grade lower than the 2,400cc deputy mayor's official Sonata purchased in January 2009.

Mayor Lee has decided to replace management meetings with "on-site meetings" held at civil complaint sites. On the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month, rather than at a desk, he intends to visit the actual living conditions of residents to hear their voices.

On-site meetings will be attended by the mayor, district chiefs, and heads of various departments and agencies, along with relevant experts.

Gunpo Mayor Kim Yun-ju opened the mayor's residence in both the 5th and 6th civilian-elected terms. As he lives in Gunpo, there is no reason to use the official residence. The residence is being used as lodging for VIPs visiting Gunpo.