Independent Naju Mayor Candidate Kang In-gyu Reported to Election Commission for 'False Statement' on Military Issue

'Politician with 8 Years as Mayor and 3-Term Candidate Intentionally Records Military Service as Completed in Autobiography' Claim

Demand to Properly Clarify Military Service-Related Allegations Against Candidate Kang In-gyu, Including Military ID Misuse Case

On the 23rd, Yoon Byung-tae's election campaign committee submitted a complaint to the Naju Election Commission against independent candidate Kang In-gyu for spreading false information. Photo by Yoon Byung-tae Election Office

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yuk-bong] The election campaign committee of Yoon Byung-tae announced on the 23rd that it has filed a complaint with the Naju City Election Commission against independent candidate Kang In-gyu for spreading false information.

Recently, it was revealed that candidate Kang In-gyu, despite being exempt from military service, described himself as having completed military service in his autobiography announced at a book launch event held on February 6, 2022, causing a major controversy.

In response, Mayor Kang In-gyu issued a belated statement on the 21st, explaining that “it was a mistake made by a female ghostwriter.”

Following Kang In-gyu’s statement on the 22nd, Yoon Byung-tae’s campaign committee released a rebuttal, questioning, “Is it a matter of competence that a seasoned politician who has led 1,300 public officials for eight years and is preparing for a third term made a mistake on such a sensitive military issue? Or is it a false entry made to win the election?” They also accused Kang of making additional lies during his explanation, claiming that he was only notified of his exemption from military service after going to the Nonsan Training Center, not the Military Manpower Administration.

In the complaint submitted to the Naju City Election Commission on the 23rd, Yoon Byung-tae’s campaign committee asserted, “The description of military service in the autobiography cannot be seen as a mistake by a veteran politician seeking a second term, but rather as a deliberate act aimed at winning the election.” They further condemned Kang, stating, “Moreover, he made additional lies (about the Nonsan Training Center) to cover up the sin in his autobiography,” and demanded a thorough investigation and strict punishment.

They continued, “We also requested a strict investigation and punishment regarding the military service number forgery case, which has been continuously raised in the Naju community as being aimed at ‘promotion to grade 3.’” They pointed out that although the 1994 military service number forgery accusation was dismissed due to lack of evidence, the reasons for non-prosecution have not been disclosed.

Furthermore, they noted that during the 2018 broadcast debate for the 7th term mayoral election, Kang’s response to a question from an opposing candidate related to this issue included the phrase “I don’t know if it was a mistake,” which led to suspicion that he effectively admitted to military service number forgery. They urged Kang In-gyu to clear up the military-related suspicions.

Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yuk-bong bong2910@asiae.co.kr