By Kim Tae-jong
Staff Reporter
Residents of Mia in northern Seoul Thursday took the first legal step to try and dismiss Kim Hyun-pung, the mayor of the Gangbuk District, on the grounds that he neglected his duty and abused his position.
It is the second time that citizens have started legal action to remove an elected government official, following the move by residents of Hanam, Gyeonggi Province.
Following the implementation of the Citizens’ Dismissal Law on July 1, residents can now request the dismissal of elected government officials when they can prove illegality, corruption, neglect of duty or abuse of their position.
But the moves have also mounted concerns over abuse of the law, which could discourage officials in taking necessary administrative actions for fear of facing strong opposition from residents.
The collective action taken by residents has also created conflicts between them and the local authority.
After a group of Hanam residents Tuesday began taking official steps to get the city’s mayor, Kim Hwang-sik, dismissed, Tuesday, Kim applied for a provisional ruling the next day to stop them from launching a signature-gathering campaign.
The residents oppose the mayor’s plan to allow the construction of a crematorium, one of the most unpopular types of facilities.
``As mayor, I just did what I believe should be done for the city,’’ Kim told reporters in a briefing, Wednesday. ``Technically, only 16.7 percent of the total number of residents can vote to dismiss a mayor, which violates the rights of administration officials.’’
Under the current law, resident representatives can receive a certificate from a regional election commission, which grants them the rights to take action to dismiss an elected government official.
The representatives form a committee, which selects mandators, who run a petition to obtain signatures from citizens who agree with the dismissal.
Experts say that as the law has just taken effect, it is obvious that it needs an adjustment period to iron out confusion and worries about abuse.
``Abuse of the law can be a serious problem,’’ Moon M. Jae, a professor of political science at Yonsei University, said. ``Government officials can’t do their job properly following their own decisions and faith.’’
But as it is a democratic system, in developing it constructively citizens must take responsibility for their actions and not act selfishly, the professor said.