Gimhae City Suspends 3 Officials Over Golf Entertainment Allegations

Gimhae City Hall.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Sang-hyun] Gimhae City, Gyeongnam Province, announced on the 25th that it has suspended three officials involved in the controversial Jeju expedition golf trip.

According to the city, these three level 6 public officials were caught by the Prime Minister's Office for taking a business-related hospitality golf trip during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the Ministry of the Interior and Safety is currently conducting an investigation. The suspension will continue until the Ministry of the Interior and Safety releases the investigation results.

Additionally, during the suspension period, the city assigned them to COVID-19 field duties at the public health center, such as working at screening clinics, conducting epidemiological investigations, and guiding those in self-quarantine, allowing them time for reflection and self-restraint through citizen service activities.

The city plans to promptly proceed with disciplinary procedures if the Ministry of the Interior and Safety requests disciplinary action.

Regarding this matter, the city previously announced measures to strengthen public service discipline, including immediate exclusion from duties for those disciplined for accepting money or entertainment, joint accountability with supervisors in case of misconduct, operation of a voluntary reporting period for misconduct, and activation of reporting systems for corruption and abuse of power.