ANSEONG — Anseong is moving to restore public trust in its administration following recent allegations surrounding development projects in the city.
The city said on the 12th that it has formed a development project review task force headed by the vice mayor to address residents' concerns and examine its overall permit administration, with a special review set to begin on the 19th.
The task force will focus on the permit process for large-scale development projects. The city designated the vice mayor as overall head to strengthen accountability and effectiveness, and the body will operate on a temporary basis. Outside experts in urban planning and permits will take part or serve as advisers to ensure objectivity and expertise.
The review will cover the full administrative handling of major development projects. It will closely examine whether any administrative actions were unlawful, whether any work was handled illegally or improperly, and whether discretionary decisions were made in accordance with the law. The city plans to go beyond diagnosing problems and to draw up improvement measures and steps to prevent recurrence.
The main targets are permit operations for large-scale developments such as logistics complexes and industrial complexes. In detail, the review will look at compliance with permit laws, the appropriateness of approval procedures, the possibility of preferential treatment, problems and responses for projects currently under way, and the potential for future disputes.
The city said no violations of administrative procedure have been confirmed so far in the development projects tied to the prosecution's investigation. During the special review, however, administrative procedures under way will be put on hold entirely, and the city will decide whether to resume them once the review is complete.
The special review is expected to continue through the end of December. Based on the findings, the city will prepare a plan to improve its permit processing system and guidelines to eliminate improper solicitation. It also plans to share the results with the city council and disclose them to residents.
"I feel a heavy sense of responsibility for causing concern to residents over an unsavory incident involving public officials," Anseong Mayor Kim Bo-ra said. "Through this review, we will address shortcomings in our permit administration and establish a transparent administrative system."
Prosecutors have indicted 10 people, including public officials and developers, on charges involving about 3 billion won ($2.1 million) in bribes exchanged during the permit process for five development projects in the Anseong area.