On the 21st, the Jeju Provincial Council's Personnel Hearing Committee decided that it was appropriate to appoint Jeju Mayor Lee Sang-bong as mayor.
In the personnel hearing progress report adopted after holding the personnel hearing for this candidate on this day, the Personnel Hearing Committee stated, “Through 12 years of legislative activities and experience as Chairman of the Administrative Autonomy Committee and Chairman of the Provincial Council, it was deemed that he had the ability to understand and communicate and coordinate local administration and current issues in the Jeju region.”
However, concerns were expressed about the fact that candidate Lee used public vehicles and mobility support during election activities while serving as chairman of the provincial council, that the independence of the council was undermined by applying for the Jeju mayoral position immediately after retiring as chairman, and that it could set a negative precedent for Jeju politics.
He also pointed out that he had no direct experience in running a large-scale administrative organization and that there was a need to supplement his expertise in some policy areas such as culture and tourism.
However, the personnel hearing committee explained that candidate Lee sympathized with the relevant points, expressed his apology, and confirmed his position that he would clearly distinguish between public affairs and party activities in the future and actively communicate with the National Assembly.
He said, "We judged it appropriate to appoint the candidate as mayor of Jeju after comprehensively considering the candidate's legislative experience, understanding of local issues, and will to run the city administration."
Earlier on this day, during the personnel hearing, issues were raised regarding whether it was appropriate for the immediate past Provincial Council Chairman to apply for the position of Jeju Mayor appointed by the Provincial Governor, as well as the fairness of the open recruitment process and political neutrality.
In particular, it was confirmed that candidate Lee, while serving as the chairman of the Provincial Council, served as the head of the general election headquarters for then-governor candidate Wi Sang-gon and used shared vehicles and transportation support during some sections of the official schedule.
Candidate Lee apologized for this and announced that he would clearly distinguish between public affairs and party activities in the future.
Suspicions were also raised about the connection between the ghostwriting of the master's thesis and subsequent personnel appointments at the Provincial Council, but the candidate explained that he had completed a normal degree program and that the connection between the ghostwriting of the thesis and personnel appointments was unfounded.
The personnel hearing committee recommended that when this candidate is finally appointed, he will strictly manage public resources based on high levels of public service ethics and responsibility, and promote fair and transparent organizational management and citizen-centered responsible administration.
Candidate Lee served as a member of the 10th to 12th Jeju Provincial Council and served as the chairman of the Jeju Provincial Council in the second half of the 12th Jeju Provincial Council.
