Mayor Jo Gwang-han Criticizes Gyeonggi Province Audit, Calling Governor Lee Jae-myung a "Typical Hypocrite"

"Refused to Submit Data Only According to the Law, Never Rejected Audit"

Namyangju City filed a constitutional complaint and a provisional injunction to suspend the effect regarding Gyeonggi Province's comprehensive audit with the Constitutional Court on the 6th of last month. Photo by Namyangju City Mayor Jo Gwang-han [Provided by Namyangju City]

[Asia Economy Reporter La Young-cheol] Gyeonggi Province has announced a special audit on Namyangju City, claiming that the city refused to submit materials for a comprehensive audit. In response, Namyangju Mayor Jo Gwang-han expressed his firm intention to deal decisively with unfair audit practices.

On the previous day (the 2nd), Mayor Jo posted a statement titled "A Message to All Employees (Regarding the Gyeonggi Province Audit)" on the city's internal bulletin board, outlining his position on Gyeonggi Province's plan to conduct a special and service audit targeting Namyangju City.

Mayor Jo emphasized again, "I apologize that city officials, who should be dedicated to administration for the citizens, have been subjected to retaliatory audits by Gyeonggi Province. Namyangju City has not refused the comprehensive audit requested by Gyeonggi Province."

He also expressed regret over Gyeonggi Province's audit policy and promised, as mayor, to protect city employees to the end.

Mayor Jo stated, "Gyeonggi Province says it will start another retaliatory audit under the pretext of audit refusal. As mayor, I feel heavy-hearted thinking that employees, who should focus on administration for the citizens, will be subjected to unfair threats and demands from Gyeonggi Province."

He continued, "During the previous comprehensive audit, Gyeonggi Province stopped the audit citing the reason that materials related to autonomous affairs were not submitted, and now they are using this as a pretext to initiate a special audit. Let me confirm once again that our city has submitted all materials related to delegated affairs in accordance with the law."

He emphasized, "Although materials related to autonomous affairs were not submitted as per the law, our city has never refused the audit and will not do so in the future."

Mayor Jo also revealed and criticized Gyeonggi Governor Lee Jae-myung by sharing a post Lee made on his SNS last October during the National Assembly's state audit, strongly condemning it.

According to Mayor Jo, during the state audit, Governor Lee posted a message saying, "It's like a city grandmother not only interfering in her daughter-in-law's kitchen affairs but also demanding an investigation into the daughter-in-law's kitchen. If they have moved out, can't they be left alone now?"

Regarding this, Mayor Jo sharply criticized, "The Gyeonggi Provincial Government led by Governor Lee Jae-myung is committing the same illegal demands and coercion against Namyangju City. This is a typical case of 'double standards'."

He lamented, "It is very disappointing that while asserting their rights against greater powers, they try to dominate smaller local governments."

Addressing city employees, he promised, "We will respond firmly to illegal audits conducted under the guise of tradition. Trust me, do not be shaken or intimidated, and focus on your work. I will take full responsibility for all matters and will never shirk or evade responsibility under any circumstances."

Earlier, Gyeonggi Province planned to conduct a comprehensive audit on Namyangju City from the 27th of last month to the 11th of this month, following a preliminary investigation from the 20th to the 26th. They requested submission of preliminary investigation materials covering 481 items in six rounds last month.

However, Namyangju City refused to submit the materials, stating, "Gyeonggi Province is deliberately repeatedly requesting materials on autonomous affairs without specifying any illegal matters." Consequently, Gyeonggi Province suspended the preliminary investigation schedule for the comprehensive audit on the 26th of last month.

Gyeonggi Province plans to hold Namyangju City accountable by confirming illegal acts through the special audit and taking follow-up measures such as criminal complaints and administrative disciplinary actions against related personnel.