Jeju governor suspended until recall vote

JEJU, South Korea, Aug. 6 (Yonhap) -- A provincial governor was suspended from
duty on Thursday pending a recall vote later this month initiated by his
controversial decision to approve the construction of a major naval base in the
area, a local commission said Thursday.

Gov. Kim Tae-hwan of Jeju Island, a special self-governing province off the
country's southern coast, was elected in 2006. His decision the following year to
allow a naval base to be built on the island, a popular destination for
honeymooners, has drawn sharp criticism from residents there.
Kim will be the first head of a self-governing district to be put to a recall vote.
The local commission decided in May to set Aug. 26 as the date for a recall vote
against the governor after more than 51,000 eligible voters signed a petition
demanding the move, far surpassing the 41,649 signatures required. A 2007 law
adopted by the former government of President Roh Moo-hyun allows residents to
demand a recall vote for heads of metropolitan cities and provinces when
supported by more than 15 percent of the district's eligible voters.
Kim could be ousted from office if more than a third of eligible voters cast
ballots and more than half support his recall.
During the canvassing period that runs until Aug. 26, the governor will be
suspended from duty and the vice governor for administrative affairs will serve
as the acting head, the Jeju Election Commission said.
Kim on Thursday defended his decision, saying that financial and other support
from the central government for the construction of the naval base would help
spur development of the island, allowing it to move beyond tourism. He added that
the merits of the project far outweigh environmental and other anticipated risks.
"Building the naval base is a necessary project for national security that should
be achieved no matter who becomes the governor," Kim said in a news conference,
stressing that his support for the project does not constitute a rational for the
recall vote.
"The project was supported by a majority of Jeju residents through a legitimate
process, and it will greatly contribute to the development of Jeju province," he
added.
ejkim@yna.co.kr
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