Kim Se-hoon, the mayor of Hwacheon County in Gangwon Province, is dedicating significant efforts to Sahae-myeon.
With the disbandment of the 27th Division shaking the local economy, there is a need to rebuild and prepare for changes in tourism and commerce following the opening of the Gwangdeok Tunnel. Plans are also underway to identify new growth drivers, including arboretums, food specialties related to livestock, and forest tourism.
However, Mayor Kim is taking a cautious approach regarding the construction of a new government building in Sahae-myeon. Instead of unilaterally deciding on the site and size, he is prioritizing gathering resident opinions.
On September 14, a resident briefing held at the Sahae Comprehensive Cultural Center drew over 50 attendees, including residents, village leaders, and county council members.
Various opinions emerged regarding the site and size of the new building. One resident strongly protested, claiming that the village leaders did not adequately represent the community.
In response, the 21 village leaders representing Sahae-myeon agreed to collect feedback from their respective communities and present it at a village leaders' meeting scheduled for September 22 at the Sahae-myeon office.
According to the village leaders, the collected opinions will be submitted to the Hwacheon County office for review and consideration in the direction of the new building's construction. This ongoing feedback process cannot simply be viewed as administrative delay or evasion of responsibility.
During the briefing, some residents urged, “Let the mayor decide,” while others insisted, “If we are going to build a new government building, it should be spacious and symbolic.” There were also calls for a swift decision, with some expressing frustration over the prolonged deliberation.
When the administration seeks input, it is criticized for delays, yet when decisions are made, it faces backlash for not listening adequately. This reflects the dilemma faced by the administration in meeting diverse demands.
The issue of the golf practice range in Sachaeng 8-ri also resurfaced during the meeting.
One resident voiced, “The golf range needs to be relocated,” expressing disappointment after having supported the mayor. Concerns about noise, parking issues, and views must be carefully considered.
However, the golf range was established during the 8th term of the elected officials, and the current administration did not select its location. The current administration has inherited both the project and the associated community backlash and administrative burdens.
Relocating or canceling the project would require reevaluating the executed budget, administrative procedures, consultations with the Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province, and additional funding. It is not a simple matter that the mayor can resolve unilaterally.
Holding the current mayor solely accountable for the outcomes would not be a fair assessment. It is essential to distinguish between projects decided during the 8th term and policies pursued by the 9th term.
One resident remarked, “The project was decided by the previous administration, so the current administration must be in a difficult position,” adding that it seems the mayor is trying to resolve the issue amicably. Another resident noted, “Mayor Kim is very interested in the development of Sahae-myeon, but it seems the residents do not fully understand his vision.”
Currently, Sahae-myeon is facing a contraction in commerce due to the disbandment of the 27th Division and is on the brink of significant changes with the opening of the Gwangdeok Tunnel. While the tunnel will improve accessibility, it could also become a route through which visitors and spending leave the area.
This may explain why Mayor Kim is considering tourism, food resources, forest assets, and infrastructure together. He is attempting to prepare for the future of Sahae-myeon with a comprehensive vision rather than focusing on individual facilities.
The new government building should also be evaluated from this perspective. It will serve as a space connecting administration, welfare, culture, and community communication, playing a central role in Sahae-myeon for decades to come.
In July, Hwacheon County began gathering opinions on six to seven candidate sites between Sahae Middle and High School and the Sahae Comprehensive Cultural Center. Plans are also in place to construct a new wooden government building to replace the aging and cramped existing facility, with an estimated project cost of 13 billion won, including a push to secure 6.5 billion won in national funding.
Factors such as accessibility, parking availability, site acquisition potential, expandability, and commercial linkage must be comprehensively evaluated. The opinions collected from each village will also serve as crucial decision-making criteria.
However, the feedback process cannot replace administrative decision-making. When demands conflict, it is the responsibility of the mayor and the administration to select the final plan and take responsibility.
“Deliberate and act decisively” is the principle that should guide this process.
The upcoming village leaders' meeting on September 22 will be a turning point in discussions about the new government building. Residents must consider the future of Sahae-myeon as a whole rather than individual interests. The village leaders and the Sahae-myeon office must also ensure that all opinions, both for and against, are thoroughly communicated to the county office.
Based on this input, Mayor Kim should explain to residents why a particular site is suitable and make a responsible decision. If the decision follows a thorough feedback process, residents should respect the community's choice, even if it differs from their own demands.
What Mayor Kim needs is not applause but the conditions to work effectively. Accountability is necessary for mistakes. However, if distrust obstructs the feedback stage, the future of Sahae-myeon cannot progress.
What is needed now is not hasty disappointment but a proper gathering of the 21 village residents' opinions. After that, Mayor Kim must make a decision, and the residents should lend their support.
The new government building in Sahae-myeon is not the mayor's personal property. It is a community asset for residents to use and pass on to future generations. If resident opinions and administrative decisions harmonize, the new building could become a symbol of Sahae-myeon's resurgence.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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