Cheong "No Confirmed Evidence Found of Jeon Hyo-gwan Cultural Secretary's Contract Award" (Comprehensive)

Secretary Jeon Hyogwan Responds as Private Citizen, Cheongwadae Decides on 'Resignation'... Confirmation of Korean Racing Authority Chairman's Swearing and Verbal Abuse

[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Jeong-min] The Blue House announced that it conducted an investigation into the allegations of 'service contract procurement' involving Jeon Hyo-gwan, the Cultural Secretary, but did not find any testimony or evidence confirming the procurement. Jeon decided to step down from his position as Cultural Secretary to respond to the matter as a private individual.

Park Kyung-mi, the Blue House spokesperson, stated on the 7th, "The Civil Affairs Office conducted voluntary investigations of about 50 people, including the individual himself and Seoul city officials, and reviewed related materials within the legally permissible scope, but did not find any testimony or materials confirming involvement in the service contract procurement."

Spokesperson Park added, "To accurately ascertain the facts of an incident that occurred as long as 15 years ago, a comprehensive investigation of Seoul city and related companies and their executives and employees is necessary. However, this exceeds the scope of the Blue House's inspection and investigation authority. The materials investigated so far will be provided to investigative agencies."

The view of the Blue House from Namsan, Seoul. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

Additionally, Spokesperson Park explained, "Although Jeon cannot acknowledge the allegations, he decided to resign as he no longer wants to burden the national administration and intends to clarify and respond as a private individual."

Meanwhile, the Blue House also announced the results of the investigation into allegations of verbal abuse and violence by Kim Woo-nam, Chairman of the Korea Racing Authority. Spokesperson Park explained, "We thoroughly conducted legally permissible investigations, including voluntary questioning of the Korea Racing Authority chairman himself and related personnel, and voluntary submission of related materials such as audio recordings."

Spokesperson Park reported, "The investigation confirmed that the Korea Racing Authority chairman, during his time as a member of the National Assembly, instructed the hiring review of a secretary-general for his aide and verbally abused and used foul language toward the personnel officer reporting the impossibility of special hiring and other employees."

Spokesperson Park stated, "The Civil Affairs Office referred the inspection results and materials to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, the competent authority, and ensured that appropriate measures were taken according to regulations."