[Comprehensive] "Stop Illegal Suppression" Jo Gwang-han, Mayor of Namyangju, Stages Solo Protest Against Gyeonggi Province Audit

Lee Jae-myung "No Sides in Eradicating Corruption"

Namyangju Mayor Jo Gwang-han is holding a picket protest on the 23rd, claiming "Gyeonggi Province's audit is illegal." Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Su-wan] Cho Gwang-han, mayor of Namyangju City, Gyeonggi Province, held a one-person protest on the 23rd, refusing the special audit by Gyeonggi Province, calling it "illegal and retaliatory oppression against basic local governments."

On the same day, Mayor Cho protested in front of the audit room on the second floor of the city hall, holding a placard that read, "Do we have to endure continuous retaliatory audits any longer?" He claimed that the audit was illegal both procedurally and substantively. He also demanded the Gyeonggi Province investigators to "stop the audit and leave the city hall."

Mayor Cho explained the reasons for refusing the audit, stating that "the audit notification procedures stipulated by the Local Autonomy Act and the Public Audit Act were not followed," and that "political bias was revealed during the audit process, and employees were threatened and coerced."

Gyeonggi Province has been conducting an audit of Namyangju City under the name of a "special investigation" for three weeks from the 16th of last month to the 4th of next month. The audit targets include allegations of preferential treatment in the Yangjeong Station area development project, unfair selection of operators for the art club competition, violations of COVID-19 quarantine guidelines, allegations of preferential treatment related to the purchase of public property, and other reported matters.

On the 22nd, Mayor Cho wrote to city officials and citizens, stating, "There is a start date for the investigation, but no specified end date. Looking at the requested materials, they are demanding all sorts of targeted materials, from comments on media reports and city hall rental records to matters subject to constitutional court appeals, which fall under the category of spiteful offenses." He criticized, "Investigating the timing of comments on media reports coinciding with the governor becoming the top presidential candidate in the polls is a clear human rights violation and an illegal audit."

He added, "At this level, it is more of an oppression disguised as an audit," and pointed out, "Since April, when our city paid disaster emergency support funds in cash based on our conviction, it seems that such fear-inducing audits continue, and thinking about the pain Namyangju public officials are going through breaks my heart."

Earlier, Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung encouraged cities and counties in the province to provide disaster relief funds in local currency. However, Namyangju City decided to pay in cash. In response, Gyeonggi Province excluded Namyangju City from special adjustment grants, and Namyangju City filed a constitutional complaint, claiming it was an illegal measure exceeding discretionary authority.

As the controversy over retaliatory audits continued, Gyeonggi Province stated in a press release on the afternoon of the 23rd that the special investigation of Namyangju City followed proper procedures. They claimed the special investigation complied with the Public Audit Act, administrative audit regulations for local governments, and Gyeonggi Province audit rules. According to the relevant laws, it is possible to investigate whether the handling of autonomous affairs by local governments violates laws based on facts raised by media reports or civil complaints, Gyeonggi Province explained.

Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung is speaking at the 'Gyeonggi Province Local District National Assembly Members Provincial Administration Issues Meeting' held at the Gyeonggi Province Governor's official residence in Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do on the afternoon of the 13th. Photo by Yonhap News

Meanwhile, Governor Lee posted on his Facebook on the same day regarding Namyangju City's refusal of the Gyeonggi Province audit, stating, "There can be no division of ruling or opposition parties, or factions, in eradicating illegal administration and corruption," and added, "If there are clues of corruption such as media reports or public interest whistleblowing, as a higher authority, we must naturally audit according to the law, and if there is responsibility based on the investigation results, it must be held accountable."

Governor Lee said, "Due to internal whistleblowers, the mayor's hiring corruption was revealed, and the Gyeonggi Province audit judged it as unfair hiring, leading to a police investigation with high-intensity measures such as raids," and "Namyangju City officials embezzled half of the consolation gifts intended for nurses struggling with COVID-19, so Gyeonggi Province demanded severe disciplinary action against the related officials after the audit."

He continued, "As the responsible authority for investigating and taking action on the illegality and unfairness of Namyangju City administration, Gyeonggi Province cannot simply accept or neglect whistleblowing or claims," and pointed out, "If the administration was lawful and proper, and the whistleblowing or reports are mistaken, they should provide a convincing and thorough explanation."