Buan County faces political tension over budget and development

Buan County is currently navigating significant political and administrative challenges involving budget disputes, regional development, and local governance.

Buan County Mayor Kwon Ik-hyeon has recently faced criticism from the Buan County Council for allegedly disregarding legislative authority. This tension escalated when the Mayor requested the reinstatement of several budget items that had been cut by the Council's special committee during deliberations. The Council ultimately maintained its original decision to reject the requested funds.

Simultaneously, the Buan County Council is actively lobbying the central government on several critical regional issues. These include demanding a re-examination of the Saemangeum New Port jurisdiction, calling for the relocation of the integrated headquarters of the Korea Power Corporation to Buan, and seeking protection for farmers following changes in government soybean procurement policies. The Council also urged the deployment of dedicated vessels to manage marine debris in the southwestern waters.

In an effort to secure future growth, Mayor Kwon visited the National Assembly to meet with several lawmakers. He advocated for the inclusion of various projects in the 2027 national budget, including Saemangeum-related infrastructure, terminal remodeling, and carbon-neutral experience centers, while also promoting the relocation of power companies to the region.