Shin Seong-young, Incheon City Council Member: “Failure to Pass the Incheon Economic Agency Head Open Recruitment is a Disregard for the Council”

Shin Seong-young, a member of the Incheon City Council's Industry and Economy Committee (People Power Party, Jung-gu 2), strongly criticised the Incheon City administration for its decision to eliminate him in the document review stage of the open recruitment process for the head of the Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority.

During his personal remarks at the first plenary session of the 306th Incheon City Council temporary meeting held on the 27th, he stated, “The Incheon City administration eliminated me from the formal requirements review, citing that ‘legislative achievements have not been proven’. This is a subjective judgement that completely denies the role and achievements of the council and is a serious misjudgement that disregards not only the Incheon City Council but also local councils across the country.”

Referring to Articles 117 and 118 of the Constitution, he argued, “Local governments are composed of the executive and the council, and the achievements of the past three and a half years are the result of cooperation with the council, not solely the executive. To deny this is contrary to the constitutional order.”

He presented major legislative achievements such as ▲Free tolls on the Yeongjong Bridge ▲Free tolls on the Third Yeongjong Bridge ▲Promotion of the division of Yeongjong District ▲Resolution of overcrowding in elementary schools in Yeongjong ▲Establishment of a special school in Yeongjong ▲Promotion of an international school ▲Designation of a bio-specialised complex ▲Attracting the Overseas Koreans Agency to Incheon ▲Establishment of a dedicated Incheon CES hall ▲Cancellation of the Yeongjong incineration plant, stating, “To view all these achievements as solely the accomplishments of the executive is not true.”

Additionally, he noted, “The open recruitment system for the head of the Incheon Economic Agency was intended to broadly recruit capable external talents, but in reality, it has been distorted into a revolving door and favouritism for retired senior officials. The head of the Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority is a position that cannot be filled through conventional appointments.”

He continued, “The Incheon Free Economic Zone is facing a new turning point after 2030,” emphasising, “We need a reform-minded and capable individual who can accurately understand the characteristics of Incheon and the role of the free economic zone and persuade the central government.”

Regarding future responses, he stated, “This document elimination is deemed an abuse and deviation of discretion,” adding, “I have filed an objection and a request for retrial with Incheon City, applied for an administrative appeal and suspension of execution with the Central Administrative Appeals Commission, and plan to proceed with administrative litigation and a request for an audit by the Board of Audit and Inspection.”

Shin concluded, “This issue is not a personal matter but is aimed at ensuring that the achievements of elected officials are fairly evaluated and restoring the essence of local autonomy,” asserting, “Appointments that ignore the future of the Incheon Economic Agency and the will of the citizens of Incheon must not be tolerated.”