By Kang Hyun-kyung
From 2002 to 2006, then Mayor of Seoul Lee Myung-bak began his daily routine at 7:30 a.m. in his office, which usually continued for 12 hours until 7:30 p.m.
His everyday schedule was full of meetings with staff of the metropolitan city government, signing documents to approve work proposals, sitting down with citizens and foreign guests and giving speeches at a variety of events.
It is well-known that Lee, now President, set up more than 4,000 meetings with indignant vendors who were opposed to the Cheonggyecheon project aimed at transforming once an urban slum near the Gwanghwamun area into a scenic site.
The vendors, who had made ends meet through their small businesses located near the stream, were deeply concerned about their uncertain future once the development project was completed as they had to relocate their stores.
During town hall meetings and other types of get-togethers, the former Seoul mayor tried to convince them they would also benefit from the urban beautification plan.
Lim Jae-hyun, presidential secretary for public relations on policy, recalled Lee’s 12-hour official schedule as mayor was so tight that the former chief executive of Hyundai Engineering and Construction couldn’t squeeze any minor thing into the schedule. “Lee got no respite from heavy workload,” said the presidential secretary.
Lim joined the Seoul city government in 2005 when Lee served as mayor.
Other aides said the mayor’s schedule could vary, depending on who is in question. Compared with other politicians, his advisors said, he was probably busier than his predecessors.
Their recollections of the former Seoul mayor’s super-busy schedule came amid the heated campaign race over the mayoralty.
Na Kyung-won, a former lawmaker, is running in the by-election slated for Oct. 26 on the ruling Grand National Party (GNP) ticket. Before joining the political arena, she was a family court judge after passing the state bar exam.
Her rival Park Won-soon, a lawyer-turned-civic activist, is running in the election as an independent candidate. He served as a lawyer before joining the progressive People’s Solidarity for Participatory Democracy.
Park is a front runner in polls. Recent surveys found the gap between the two candidates narrowing.
Numerous candidates or mayoral bidders having stellar resumes, including former prime ministers, a prominent economist, lawyers, and a high-flying businessman, come and go in elections.
Some of them were successful after they were elected, but others turned out to be failures.
Running in the mayoral election is a high-stakes game for candidates as they not only had to quit their jobs but also weather tough times if they lose the election.
Economic incentives seem not to be strong enough for them to risk their stellar career.
The monthly payroll of a Seoul mayor is 8.5 million won (approximately $8,000), probably a lot less than that of high-flying lawyers. The income level is also lower than that of a lawmaker.
Analysts say there is an unparalleled incentive that can trade off the above risks. That is the clout. It lured many bright people to join the mayoral race at the expense of their prominent careers.
A Seoul mayor is responsible for spending 21 trillion won of an annual budget. He or she has the authority to appoint, promote or dismiss 15,000 civil servants working in the local government.
They appoint 11 heads of institutions or foundations run by or under control of the city government.
Plus, the position of Seoul mayor is widely regarded as a springboard to the presidency just as Lee made the most of his legacy he earned during his mayoral service.
These perks have attracted numerous competitive candidates having led successful careers to join in the mayoral race, despite the high risks.