Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung (right) is presenting the appointment letter to Yoo Dong-gyu, President of the Gyeonggi Tourism Organization (currently detained).
[Asia Economy (Suwon) = Reporter Lee Young-gyu] Kim Hong-guk, spokesperson for Gyeonggi Province, dismissed as baseless the claim posted on Facebook by Park Soo-young, a member of the People Power Party, who, based on reports from multiple Gyeonggi Provincial Government officials, alleged that Governor Lee Jae-myung appointed former Gyeonggi Tourism Organization President Yoo Dong-gyu by calling out "Dong-gyu, come here" and immediately moving into a tea time. Some media outlets reported on this claim.
Furthermore, Kim added that Governor Lee never speaks informally to anyone, no matter how close they are, and that the claim that he behaved unreasonably at an official event such as an appointment ceremony is something that anyone familiar with Governor Lee would find difficult to accept.
On the 5th, through Facebook, Spokesperson Kim stated, "Park Soo-young claimed, citing reports from multiple Gyeonggi Provincial Government officials, that during the appointment ceremony for the Gyeonggi Tourism Organization president and the preparation for taking photos, Governor Lee dismissed the procedures and staff, called out 'Dong-gyu, come here,' and immediately went into tea time." He added, "After hearing Park's claim and verifying it, no one present at the scene heard such remarks, making it a false statement."
He continued, "If we interpret Park's statement literally, it means they had tea time without any commemorative event, but the appointment ceremony was held and there are related commemorative photos." He added, "This is something that could be easily verified, so I am curious who exactly Park heard this from."
Spokesperson Kim emphasized, "Everyone who has worked with Governor Lee for a long time knows that no matter how close the relationship, he never speaks informally. Moreover, calling someone by name in a condescending manner at an official event like an appointment ceremony is behavior that those familiar with Governor Lee's character cannot accept."
He also stated, "This claim, which trivializes the official Gyeonggi Province event of the appointment ceremony as a casual private gathering to tarnish Governor Lee's reputation, is going too far." He urged, "We ask Park Soo-young to immediately stop making baseless claims related to Governor Lee."
Meanwhile, regarding the arrest of former Gyeonggi Tourism Organization President Yoo Dong-gyu, Governor Lee expressed regret on the same day, saying, "I am very sorry that a staff member who was under my command and responsible for my jurisdiction was involved in an unfortunate incident." He added, "I have looked into it thoroughly, but it was still insufficient."
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