Mayor Park Won-soon: "If There Are Issues in Supporting Jeongui Gieok Yeondae, We Will Conduct a Thorough Investigation"

School Dormitory Students Undergoing COVID-19 Mass Testing, in Consultation with the Education Office

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon expressed his intention to thoroughly investigate if there were any inappropriate handling by the Seoul city government in supporting the Justice and Memory Solidarity (Jeonguiyeondae), which is under suspicion of accounting fraud.

On the afternoon of the 25th, in an interview with MBC's 'News Outside,' Mayor Park responded to the question, "There are criticisms that the Seoul city government gave support funds but abandoned management and supervision," by saying, "That is absolutely not the case."

Mayor Park said, "(Seoul city) generally provides various subsidies and operational support to nonprofit organizations," adding, "The support was given according to legal procedures." He emphasized, "If by any chance such incidents (like misuse) occur, we will conduct a thorough investigation."

Among the various suspicions surrounding Jeonguiyeondae is the allegation that despite receiving donations from Mayor Park and support funds, subsidies, and donations from the Seoul city government, they did not properly disclose these in their accounting.

Regarding measures against the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), Mayor Park said, "The Seoul COVID-19 Preemptive Testing Committee, recently launched, is currently consulting with the Office of Education to preemptively test about 6,000 students living in dormitories."

He pointed out, "According to experts, COVID-19 is expected to have another major outbreak around autumn, and from now on, we have no choice but to live with infectious diseases like COVID-19," adding, "Even if the number of confirmed cases reaches zero, we must always be prepared."

Regarding the 'Queer Culture Festival' originally scheduled for next month, he said, "Assemblies at Seoul City Hall Plaza are banned until July due to COVID-19. I understand that the organizer of the Queer Festival has also canceled it."

He also explained that a gathering ban order has been issued for coin karaoke rooms, which are popular among teenagers, and that inspections are being conducted to ensure strict compliance with the eight major quarantine rules in general karaoke rooms and other venues.

Mayor Park said, "We have issued gathering ban orders for entertainment establishments and coin karaoke rooms, but like a balloon effect, teenagers are going to other entertainment venues," adding, "We are also demanding strict adherence to the eight major quarantine rules at similar entertainment establishments, and Seoul city, autonomous districts, and the police have formed joint inspection teams to conduct checks."

He further emphasized, "Five years ago during MERS, poor communication and secrecy prevailed, resulting in many confirmed cases in Seoul, making it a nationwide epicenter. However, now the central government, local governments, and citizens are each fulfilling their roles, making K-quarantine a global model."