2026.10.13. The Fair Economy — "With the image of 'Bull Worker Choi Yeong-sik is here, I'll listen, I'll solve it,' I will visit residents every Friday."
Choi Yeong-sik, Chair of the Planning and Administration Committee of the Incheon Namdong-gu Council, shared his reflections on his first 100 days in office during a meeting with local reporters in Namdong-gu on the 12th, saying this.
He had run for office with the slogan "a worker like a bull" and emphasized, "You can't understand the problems residents face just by looking at reports. I go directly to the field to listen to their stories and find solutions with relevant departments."
Chairman Choi is a first-term lawmaker elected as chair of the Planning and Administration Committee on July 6. The committee is a standing committee that reviews planning, administration, and finance, with nine members. A member of the Democratic Party of Korea, Chairman Choi won first place in Namdong-gu's Ra electoral district.
The reason he entered politics was his experience as a self-employed business owner. Choi Yeong-sik said he had been self-employed for about ten years and reflected that during the COVID-19 pandemic, the district office's enforcement was excessive. He said, "They did not listen well to the stories of small business owners. The only answer was that it was legally and administratively impossible," and added, "I started politics with the intention of changing the flawed administration and system."
In budget review, he emphasized selection and focus. Choi Yeong-sik said, "The more difficult the finances, the more important it is where and how the budget is spent. Simply cutting projects or operating existing projects by inertia is not desirable." He added, "Showcase projects or projects with low effectiveness should be boldly adjusted, and resources should be prioritized for areas where residents can feel the impact, such as safety, welfare, and improvements to the living environment. Even recurring projects each year should be reexamined for their results."
Namdong-gu's finances are tight. This year, based on the main budget, grants account for 68.4% of general‑account revenue, and local taxes 11.97%. 71.14% of the general‑account budget is spent on social welfare. Lee Byeong-rae, mayor of Namdong-gu, noted at his inauguration on July 1 that the reserve fund was only 30 million won, indicating a fiscal crisis. The Namdong-gu Council concluded its 312th regular meeting on September 16, confirming the first supplemental budget of the year, amounting to 1.3766 trillion won, which is 93.4 billion won more than the original budget.
Chair Choi takes an active stance on expanding the disclosure of business promotion expenses. Chairs, vice chairs, and standing committee chairs of local councils use business promotion expenses for duty performance costs. If expenditures exceed 500,000 won, they must prepare supporting documents indicating the recipient's affiliation and name, and the execution details must be disclosed on the council's website at least once per quarter.
Chair Choi said, "I checked the Namdong-gu Council website and saw that it was disclosed. However, it is complicated and difficult for citizens to find." He added, "If there are parts that can be disclosed further, I am willing to do so via ordinance at any time."
He cited transportation as a key issue felt in the field. Chairman Choi said, "In the past, residents called the Seochang area an 'island.' Although many bus routes have been added since then, it is difficult to say that the transportation environment has improved." He is placing his hopes on the Second Gyeongin Line. The Second Gyeongin Line is a metropolitan railway project connecting Seoul's Guro district via Incheon's Yeonsu-gu and Seochang-dong and Nonhyeon-dong in Namdong-gu.
Although it was selected for a preliminary feasibility study in 2019, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport changed its direction in 2023, opting to consider a private investment model instead of a public finance project. Choi Yeong-sik said, "If the Second Gyeongin Line is built, good transportation options will be secured for the 2030 generation commuting to and from Seoul."
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