"Falsehoods Breed Greater Lies and Corrupt the World"
"Can Mayor Baek Entrust Guri City's Quarantine and Administration?"
Mayor Baek Claims Innocence, "No Intent Even If Falsehood"
[Asia Economy Reporter Ra Young-cheol] Public criticism is mounting against Baek Kyung-hyun, the mayor of Guri, who was indicted for concealing his COVID-19 infection and making false statements during an epidemiological investigation by health authorities.
Mayor Baek's side has claimed innocence, stating, "We did not make false statements. Even if falsehoods were made, there was no intent," but suspicions continue to grow, doubts about the mayor's morality are spreading, and calls for his resignation are being mentioned.
The Barun Media Citizens' Coalition in Guri, Gyeonggi Province recently reported through an internet blog that "citizens' suspicions are intensifying as the first trial verdict for Mayor Baek Kyung-hyun of Guri has been postponed."
The Citizens' Coalition stated, "The prosecution requested a six-month prison sentence with a one-year probation for Mayor Baek, and the verdict was scheduled for February 2, but the Uijeongbu District Court Namyangju Branch canceled the sentencing date and decided to resume arguments at the request of Mayor Baek's defense counsel."
They also posted an article titled "What will be the judiciary's judgment on Mayor Baek Kyung-hyun's 'violation of quarantine law and false statements'?"
According to the Citizens' Coalition, Guri citizens submitted petitions to the court demanding strict punishment for Mayor Baek's violation of infection control laws.
Mayor Baek attended the "Korean Peninsula Peace SUMMIT Gyeonggi Region Departure Ceremony for New Unification Korea" on December 8, 2021, and after dining at the buffet on the second floor of the venue, he falsely told the epidemiological investigator that he ate elsewhere on his way back to Guri, thereby exposing an unspecified number of citizens to the risk of COVID-19 infection.
It was reported that the day Mayor Baek attended the event was one day before his COVID-19 positive diagnosis.
Citizen A from Guri said, "I was outraged by Mayor Baek's behavior of claiming innocence without remorse, saying 'even if falsehoods were made, there was no intent,' and submitted a petition for strict punishment."
In particular, they stated, "Because the event attended by Mayor Baek provided food, it caused 'n-th infections' in several regions, raising concerns about the collapse of the entire Gyeonggi Province quarantine system," and added, "Due to the continuous submission of strict punishment petitions by angry Guri citizens, a movement for Mayor Baek's resignation is also expected."
Citizen B said, "During the previous 7th term of the elected mayor of Guri, I am curious about what Na Tae-geun, the People Power Party district chairman, who demanded the resignation and party expulsion of the incumbent mayor based solely on media suspicions, thinks about the current situation," challenging him.
They continued, "Anyone can make mistakes, and if one acknowledges and corrects them, no one would criticize. But if one lies to cover up mistakes, that lie will lead to bigger lies and the world will become chaotic," they pointed out.
Citizen B also emphasized that Mayor Baek is responsible for Guri's quarantine, saying, "How can we entrust him with Guri's quarantine and city administration?" and added, "I am curious about the judiciary's judgment on Mayor Baek's shameless lies that deny even the visible facts."
Earlier, health authorities reported, "After Mayor Baek tested positive for COVID-19 in December 2021, he gave false statements about his movements to epidemiological investigators," and filed a complaint against him with the police.
Mayor Baek's side claimed innocence, stating, "We did not make false statements. Even if falsehoods were made, there was no intent."
The prosecution requested the court to sentence Mayor Baek, who was indicted for violating the Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Act, to six months in prison with a one-year probation.
If the prosecution's request is confirmed, Mayor Baek will lose his mayoral position according to the Local Autonomy Act.
Mayor Baek's defense hearing is scheduled for 3:00 PM on March 7.
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