"That Kid's XX Is an Open Mouth" Gang Imjun, Gunsan Mayor, Causes Controversy with Insults to Citizens Undergoing COVID-19 Testing

Gang Im-jun, Mayor of Gunsan City, held a press conference on the 30th, announcing that 100,000 KRW in disaster basic income will be provided to each Gunsan citizen. Photo by Gunsan City

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Min Jun-young] Kang Im-jun, former mayor of Gunsan City, Jeonbuk, was revealed to have used abusive language during a confrontation with citizens of Jeonju.

According to Mr. A, a man in his 40s living in Jeonju, Jeonbuk, he visited a hospital in Gunsan last month on the 27th for medical treatment.

At the hospital, after explaining his history of overseas travel, he was informed that "a COVID-19 test is required to receive treatment" and was directed to the screening clinic at the Gunsan Public Health Center. When he asked, "I live in Jeonju; is it okay to get tested in Gunsan?" the health center staff said, "It's fine," so he waited about an hour at the screening clinic.

However, the staff later reversed their position, saying, "The policy has changed so that tests must be done at your registered address to be exempt from fees." When Mr. A angrily asked, "Why wasn't this explained earlier?" the staff requested, "Please keep quiet because the mayor is here." Mr. A continued raising his voice and went to his car, but a staff member blocked him and said, "Let's clear up the misunderstanding." During this process, the staff member, upon hearing that Mayor Kang was leaving the scene, stopped talking to Mr. A and went to Mayor Kang's vehicle.

Seeing this, Mr. A expressed his frustration again, saying, "Are you stopping people again just because the mayor is leaving?" When he angrily asked, "Is the mayor a person but citizens are not?" Mayor Kang got out of the car and said, "I am the mayor. That brat has a foul mouth and no manners. People like that should be locked up," using abusive language.

Mr. A posted on social media (SNS), questioning, "Is it acceptable for someone who should think of citizens, listen to their voices, and carry out administrative activities to use abusive and violent language toward citizens?" He added, "I am not a brat. I have a high school-aged child and am over forty."

As public opinion turned negative, a Gunsan city employee called Mr. A to apologize. Mayor Kang also apologized repeatedly, saying, "Due to the COVID-19 situation, I have been shouting at employees working 24 hours for three months straight, lost control of my emotions, and made a mistake." He added, "I met with Mr. A, resolved the misunderstanding, and sincerely apologized." Mr. A also stated, "I accepted the apology and the misunderstanding was cleared," and has since deleted the post.