Candidates for Gwangsan District Mayor in Gwangju Urge Investigation into Park Byung-gyu's 'Bribery Allegations'

Press Conference by Five Candidates Including Kim Hak-sil, Lee Young-soon, Yoon Nan-sil, Yoon Bong-geun, and Choi Chi-hyun

"Call for Thorough Investigation by Investigative Agencies and Swift Decision on Disqualification of the Democratic Party"

On the 8th, five candidates running for the Gwangsan District Mayor of Gwangju, including Kim Hak-sil, Lee Young-soon, Yoon Nan-sil, Yoon Bong-geun, and Choi Chi-hyun, held a press conference at the Gwangju City Council, demanding a thorough investigation into candidate Park's bribery case and a prompt decision on whether the Democratic Party should revoke his qualifications.

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Jin-hyung] Candidates for the Gwangsan District Mayor of Gwangju Metropolitan City in the June 1 nationwide simultaneous local elections urged the police to investigate Democratic Party candidate Park Byung-gyu, who is embroiled in allegations of illegal donation activities, on the 8th.

Five candidates, including Kim Hak-sil, Lee Young-soon, Yoon Nan-sil, Yoon Bong-geun, and Choi Chi-hyun, held a press conference at the Gwangju City Council on the morning of the same day, demanding a thorough investigation into Park’s cash distribution incident and a swift decision on whether to disqualify him from the Democratic Party.

The allegations concern an incident in mid-January when Park is suspected of handing an envelope containing 300,000 won in cash to Kim, a Democratic Party registered member, at a restaurant in Gwangsan District.

They stated, "Many citizens have heard this news and are voicing concerns," adding, "There are worries that the Gwangsan District Mayor will be embroiled in legal troubles again in the 8th term following the 7th term, leading to administrative disruption."

They continued, "A thorough and swift investigation by law enforcement and a prompt decision by the Democratic Party’s central committee on Park’s disqualification are necessary," emphasizing, "If proven true, this matter warrants disqualification from election, and it is essential to prevent administrative disruption, waste of public funds on by-elections, and the spread of political disgust."

They also criticized Park’s response to the allegations.

They pointed out, "In his press release on the 6th, Park did not say he would 'cooperate sincerely with the investigation,' but instead dismissed the issue as an attempt by election schemers to tarnish his reputation and threatened them."

Regarding the statement in the explanation that "the Gwangsan Gap District Committee’s investigation found the allegations to be false," they stressed it was a 'self-issued exoneration.'

In fact, since the Gwangsan Gap District Committee openly supported Park during the primary process, there is a possibility that this was a case of 'protecting their own.'

Furthermore, they said, "The district committee has no authority to investigate or announce findings on cash distribution cases, and citizens have no reason to trust them," publicly demanding a responsible explanation from Lee Yong-bin, the head of the Gwangsan Gap District Committee.

They also criticized Park for avoiding clarification through the Democratic Party’s official bodies.

They claimed, "After repeatedly avoiding contact from the Democratic Party Ethics Inspection Team, which received the report on the cash distribution allegations, Park presented a self-issued exoneration from the Gwangsan Gap District Committee, whose representation and authority are ambiguous, as an explanation," calling it "an attitude that deceives the sovereign people."

Finally, they added, "To eradicate money politics, Park should refrain from empty statements and threats and sincerely cooperate with the Democratic Party Ethics Inspection Team and investigative authorities."