Police Conduct Successive Searches at City Hall Over Real Estate Speculation and Hiring Corruption Allegations Against Jeong Hyun-bok, Mayor of Gwangyang

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Chunsu] It has recently come to light that the police have once again conducted a search and seizure at Gwangyang City Hall in connection with Mayor Jeong Hyeonbok's real estate speculation and hiring corruption allegations, causing a stir in the local community.

The recent search and seizure are known to have targeted the personnel department on the 11th and the audit office on the 14th.

According to the Jeonnam Police Agency on the 15th, in relation to Mayor Jeong Hyeonbok of Gwangyang's real estate conflict of interest and hiring corruption allegations, a search and seizure was conducted at the city hall's general affairs division and audit office to verify detailed matters.

The additional search and seizure on the 11th targeting the personnel department was reportedly to secure necessary evidence regarding detailed aspects of the mayor's allegations.

The search and seizure of the audit office on the 14th was said to be aimed at obtaining audit materials and testimonies from those investigated in connection with the investigation of Mayor Jeong.

Previously, the police also conducted a search and seizure on April 13th at the mayor's office, the road department, and the mayor's residence.

The police investigation into Mayor Jeong's misconduct is reportedly at a stage where only the mayor's summons and questioning remain.

However, Mayor Jeong collapsed in his office on the 4th of last month and was transferred to a hospital in Seoul, where he has been receiving treatment for peripheral T-cell lymphoma. He returned to work on the 7th but was hospitalized again at a hospital in Seoul after just one day, so the investigation is expected to be delayed.

The police plan to summon and question Mayor Jeong as soon as he is discharged from the hospital.

Meanwhile, the police are investigating following a complaint that a road was constructed on land owned by Mayor Jeong, his wife, and son, and that Mayor Jeong unfairly hired children of his close associates.