Some Local Heads in Jeonnam Face 'Red Light' for Next Year's Candidacy Amid Real Estate Speculation and Fraud Trials

Gwangyang Mayor, Suncheon Mayor, Gangjin County Governor, Shinan County Governor, Jindo County Governor, etc... Under Investigation and Trial for Real Estate Speculation and Fraud Charges

Party Withdrawal Possible Considering Primary Election Compe

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Chunsu] With just over a year remaining until the nationwide local elections scheduled for June 1 next year, some heads of local governments in Jeonnam are under investigation or on trial for violations of the Public Official Election Act, making their candidacies uncertain.

In particular, although some local government heads have rejoined the Democratic Party of Korea, they are considering running as independents after judging they lack competitiveness in the preliminary and main primaries, which is expected to lead to a natural generational change.

According to the Jeonnam Police Agency on the 14th, Mayor Jeong Hyun-bok of Gwangyang, Mayor Heo Seok of Suncheon, County Governor Lee Seung-ok of Gangjin, County Governor Park Woo-ryang of Sinan, and County Governor Lee Dong-jin of Jindo, among others, or their close associates are under investigation or trial.

Mayor Jeong Hyun-bok of Gwangyang is under police investigation for suspicions of real estate speculation by opening a road on land he owns, as well as allegations of preferential hiring of relatives.

County Governor Lee Seung-ok of Gangjin is also under investigation for distributing holiday gifts worth about 40 million won to around 800 people, including village chiefs and Saemaul leaders.

The governor was previously indicted for sending greeting cards to about 9,000 residents in 2018 and was fined 800,000 won in the second trial.

Mayor Heo Seok of Suncheon is currently on trial for fraud charges related to embezzling personnel expenses supported by the Regional Newspaper Development Committee during his time as a regional newspaper representative.

He was sentenced to 10 months in prison with a two-year probation in the first trial and is currently appealing.

County Governor Park Woo-ryang of Sinan is also on trial for allegations of exerting pressure to hire a specific individual during the public servant recruitment process, raising suspicions of favoritism.

County Governor Lee Dong-jin of Jindo is facing a lawsuit for the return of a large amount of entertainment expenses from a businessman, along with allegations that his close associates received election funds.

Mr. J, an investment attraction advisory committee member of Jindo County, filed a payment order request for 350 million won against Governor Lee Dong-jin at the Gunsan branch of Jeonju District Court in early September last year, naming fellow businessman Mr. D as the plaintiff.

The payment order request included receipts and transaction details for expenses incurred during business trips accompanying the governor to Seoul, Jeonju, Jindo, and China since 2018. The governor’s side has hired a lawyer and is preparing a legal response, calling the claims groundless.

Additionally, Mr. A, who serves as an investment attraction advisor for Jindo County, is under police investigation for failing to pay about 2.6 billion won in labor costs and construction expenses during the establishment of an artificial seed potato cultivation center.

As Governor Lee and his close associates are repeatedly involved in civil and criminal cases, voices demanding fact-finding are growing both inside the public service and throughout the local community.

In the cases of Naju City and Jangseong County, there is speculation that the current mayor and county governor might run as independents due to the pros and cons of the Democratic Party of Korea’s local government primaries.

Accordingly, the Democratic Party of Korea, the dominant force in Honam politics, is expected to naturally resolve the recurring 20-30% incumbent turnover theory during election seasons depending on whether judicial actions are taken.