From ecological farms to flea markets to after-school institutes, local cooperatives are sprouting up in many districts in Seoul.

About 500 neighborhood groups are currently supported by the city government’s “village community” program initiated by Mayor Park Won-soon, a former progressive civic activist.

But his pet project has recently been embroiled in political controversy, with conservatives suspecting some of the organizations as hotbeds of leftists and potential support bases for the mayor, who will run for reelection next year.

Last week, a group of city councilors affiliated with the ruling Saenuri Party proposed a supplementary ordinance aimed at restricting their political activities.

Signed by nine members, the bill calls on the city government to withdraw subsidies from grassroots groups, should they be found to be involved in politics including expressing political views and supporting particular parties.

Under the proposal, the city government also cannot support the same individuals or groups more than three times in a row in the program.

“I have seen some cases of media-related community groups involved in political activities while not pursing their original goals. Funding those unofficial political communities can be worrisome,” Saenuri City Rep. Lee Ji-hyun, one of the signatures of the bill, told The Korea Herald.

She was referring to Seoul City’s provision of a total of 5 million won last year to two district media groups which included some members of progressive political parties. The Saenuri Party and conservative groups accused the program of political bias and favoritism.

“Village community groups should operate in voluntary manner and for the sake of the public interest. But preferential support can foster dependence (on government) and their political inclinations could cause social conflicts,” the proponents said in the bill.

The community support project started in June 2012, providing small, independent community groups with funds up to 50 million won ($44,000). The city government has earmarked 19.72 billion won for the project this year.

The city dismissed criticism that the project has political intentions.

“Urban groups involved in political activities are not allowed to receive city funding, which is officially stated in documents. When selecting communities for funding, we choose based on goals of their foundation, not the political orientation of every member of the group,” a city official said, asking not to be named.

The official raised concern that the legislation could violate the constitutional freedom of political views. It is also difficult to ascertain whether or not the city subsidy was used for political activities, he said.

“It is right to take the public funding back if the money is used politically. Yet limiting individuals’ use of their own money for political activities can be a restriction of basic rights. It is nearly impossible to monitor hundreds or thousands of citizens in community groups whether they use public or private money for their political activities,” he stressed.

The city has supported about 500 groups so far and hundreds more will be receiving funding in the remainder of the year.

The Saenuri minority in the Seoul Metropolitan Council faces an uphill battle in their push for the motion. The party has only 28 seats on the 114-member council, which includes 77 from Park’s Democratic Party and nine independents.

Before getting to a floor vote, the bill should be approved by the Administration and Autonomy Committee consisting of six DP and two Saenuri commissioners.

By Lee Hyun-jeong  (rene@heraldcorp.com)