The latest survey undertaken by the Korea Research Center for JejuSori online news portal, Halla Ilbo, KCTV and Jeju CBS was conducted on Dec. 23, 2009, by phone with 1,000 adult residents of Jeju. The survey asked what Jeju residents want the next Jeju Governor (who will be elected in June 2010) to focus on, as well as to gather opinions on Jeju’s controversial issues.
According to the survey, 43.6 percent of respondents consider the strengthening of the local economy to be the top priority for the next governor, suggesting that issues being fiercely debated recently, such as profit-oriented hospitals, are not most important in the eyes and minds of the general populace.
The planned construction of a naval base in Gangjeong harbor was cited as the next priority (17 percent) for the new governor to focus on, while the establishment of a new airport was rated third (10.1 percent).
The controversial establishment of profit-oriented hospitals and casinos for domestic travelers were viewed as less important priorities for local residents, despite the Jeju Special Self-Governing Provence viewing them as the two issues to be resolved this year, showing a significant discrepancy in perception between locals and the provincial government.
When asked about Jeju’s controversial plan to introduce profit-oriented hospitals, 43 percent of respondents were opposed to the proposal to establish such hospitals authorized to attract capital from investors and share profits with them. Most cited an expected surge in medical fees as their reason.
Those in support of the plan saw commercialization as the only way to provide quality medical service, attract foreign investment and strengthen competitiveness in the medical industry.
More than half (53 percent) of those surveyed said the Jeju government had pushed forcibly ahead with its naval base construction project, without properly weighing public opinion and environ-mental/legal assessment procedures. Even some pro-governor respondents expressed concern over the project, which has sharply divided residents for three years.
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¨Ï Jeju Weekly 2009 (http://www.jejuweekly.com)
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