Pohang City Council demands fiscal recovery and administrative reform

The Pohang City Council has concluded a four-day administrative audit, calling for the restoration of fiscal health and the accelerated implementation of key local projects. During the sessions held from the 20th to the 23rd, council members scrutinized various departments, highlighting issues such as declining tax revenue, the issuance of local bonds, and the underperformance of bio-based infrastructure projects.

Significant concerns were raised regarding administrative transparency and oversight. The audit revealed that the city failed to conduct third-party expert verification for a stalled 19-billion-won community complex project in Yangdeok-dong caused by ground issues. Additionally, the council criticized the appointment process for the City Planning Committee, noting that eight members were selected through internal discussions without formal documentation or public recruitment.

In response to controversies surrounding the appointment of committee members with potential conflicts of interest, a proposed amendment to the Pohang City Urban Planning Ordinance has been announced. The amendment aims to establish a selection committee composed of external experts and mandate clear evaluation criteria and public recruitment processes to prevent improper influence.