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Shortly after new recall rules took effect last Friday, a committee of residents seeking to block the construction of a crematorium in Hanam City said they will seek to oust the city¡¯s mayor. Once the committee has the signatures of 15,000 residents or 15 percent of the city¡¯s eligible voters, and the notice goes out for a recall vote, the mayor¡¯s duties would be suspended. Afterwards, if more than one-third of eligible voters cast ballots and a majority of the votes seek his ouster, the mayor will be kicked out of office.
The recall rule enables residents to oust local government chiefs or council members who are found to be inept or corrupt. Until now, there were no measures to keep city mayors and county heads and other elected officials in check, virtually guaranteeing their terms. Even if they were indicted on corruption charges, there were many instances where officials would serve until the end of their terms as their court trials dragged on. There had to be a way for residents to oust regional lawmakers and county chiefs through at least another vote.
But in the case of the crematorium, which involves a policy decision with both supporters and opponents, a recall vote does not fit the original intent of the measure. If the recall measure is abused in this manner, there is no local government that can survive. In the case of building a naval base on Jeju Island, surveys showed 54 percent of the residents supporting it and 38 percent against it. Jeju is a metropolitan autonomous local government where signatures from just 10 percent of registered voters can launch a recall vote. Even when there are far more supporters of a certain policy, the duties of a governor can be suspended. And when mayors, provincial chiefs and governors start to fear this, then a regional version of populism will spread like cancer, eventually clouding the future of the entire nation.
Hanam city had been pursuing the construction of the crematorium since October of last year, seeking to use the W200 billion (US$1=W928) of incentive payments to develop the city. Since then, protests have been taking place every day in front of city hall. Protests have prevented public hearings and a presentation from being held. The recall measure has given more power to such protesters, who block even rational debates from taking place.
One must think twice about holding recall votes when it comes to issues regarding the construction of facilities that are necessary for the country or the region¡¯s benefit. If they face ouster for making unpopular decisions, which mayor or provincial chief will seek to overcome the not-in-my-backyard mentality?
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