Gwangyang City: "Allegations of Favoritism at Community Centers Are Groundless"

Selected Transparently Through Proper Administrative Procedures... Legal Action Announced Against False Information Dissemination

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Heo Seon-sik] Jeonnam Gwangyang City has strongly denied claims that it gave preferential treatment to Mayor Jeong Hyeon-bok's close associates during the construction of the resident autonomy center, calling the allegations "groundless."

Gwangyang City stated on the 16th, "The construction of the Gwangyang-eup Resident Autonomy Center was transparently selected through proper administrative procedures, including incorporation into the mid-term local finance plan, the Gwangyang-eup site selection committee, site selection and new construction feasibility studies, city council public facility installation review, and budget review."

It added, "Compensation amounts cannot exceed the appraised value and cannot be arbitrarily determined by the city. Therefore, the claim that the city purchased the land at a price higher than the market value is not true."

Furthermore, "We will hold the accuser legally responsible for spreading false information, defamation, false accusation, and obstruction of official duties by using all legal means against their reckless accusations based on speculation without verified facts, which cause misunderstandings and distrust in the city administration."

The controversial resident autonomy center is planned to be built in Chilseong-ri, Gwangyang-eup, with a budget of 19 billion KRW. Construction will begin in December this year and is scheduled for completion in December next year, with four floors above ground.

Meanwhile, Mayor Jeong was recently reported to the police on charges including breach of trust for allegedly causing financial damage to the local government by overpricing the building owned by his closest associate to build the resident center.