Injured and Meritorious Associations, Including Close Aides of Mayor Kang Ki-jung, to File Complaints
"On the 17th, Mayor Kang's aides allegedly committed violence in front of the National Cemetery"
Issues Raised Over Deputy Mayor Kim Kwang-
Some 5·18 public interest groups have announced plans to additionally file complaints against Kang Gi-jeong, the mayor of Gwangju Metropolitan City, deepening the conflict with the Gwangju city government.
On the 22nd, the 5·18 Democratic Movement Injured Persons Association and the Meritorious Persons Association, both public organizations, held a press conference at the Injured Persons Association office within the 5·18 Memorial Foundation in Seo-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City, stating, "We will file additional lawsuits and complaints against Mayor Kang Gi-jung of Gwangju and related officials." [Photo by Min Hyun-gi]
On the 22nd, the 5·18 Victims Association and the Meritorious Persons Association held a press conference at the Victims Association office inside the 5·18 Memorial Culture Center in Seo-gu, Gwangju, claiming, "Around 10 a.m. on the 17th, when the 5·18 Memorial Ceremony was held, Mayor Kang and his driver and aides jointly assaulted a member of the Victims Association in front of the National 5·18 Democratic Cemetery, causing injury."
They continued, "After filing a protest at the national cemetery area, banners with phrases such as 'Kang Gi-jeong step down' and 'Reinvestigate the Lime Scandal' were displayed, but Mayor Kang's aides and driver tore down the banners and assaulted the Victims Association members during the process," adding, "We plan to file a complaint on the morning of the 23rd against Mayor Kang, his driver, and aides for violation of the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes (joint injury), violation of the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes (joint property damage), and violation of the Assembly and Demonstration Act."
They also expressed their intention to file a complaint against Kim Gwang-jin, the Deputy Mayor for Culture and Economy of Gwangju, for drinking alcohol at a restaurant near the event venue using a corporate card on the day of the 5·18 Eve Ceremony.
Deputy Mayor Kim was reported to have been drinking at a restaurant in Bullo-dong, Dong-gu, near the venue of the 5·18 Democratization Movement Eve Ceremony around 7:30 p.m. on the 17th.
It was claimed that the entire bill, including the alcohol, was paid with the Gwangju city corporate card by Deputy Mayor Kim and his accompanying aide, and that inside the restaurant, instead of a solemn memorial atmosphere, they continuously shouted "Congressman Kim Gwang-jin! Kim Gwang-jin!" resembling a congressional campaign rally.
The groups stated, "Deputy Mayor Kim Gwang-jin, who held a drinking party at the Eve Ceremony, should not disgrace the citizens of Gwangju and the 5·18 victims and must immediately resign from his position," adding, "We are considering filing a complaint against Deputy Mayor Kim for breach of trust or pre-election campaign violations for holding a drinking party using the corporate card funded by citizens' taxes. However, if Mayor Kang dismisses Deputy Mayor Kim before the complaint is filed, we will not proceed with the complaint."
Additionally, the two groups said, "In commemoration of the 5·18 Democratization Movement, we aim to correct the unreasonable and unjust administration of Mayor Kang," and "Starting from the 22nd, we will collect and receive reports on all cases of unfair personnel decisions, human rights violations, and unfair treatment experienced by citizens, Gwangju city officials, and employees of city-affiliated institutions."
Meanwhile, on the 15th, the two groups also filed a complaint with the prosecution against Mayor Kang and five city officials on charges including abuse of authority.
The complaint stated that Mayor Kang improperly intervened in the '5·18 Democratization Movement Education Center consignment operation project bidding' process, and Gwangju city explained that the complaints filed by the 5·18 groups regarding issues in the selection process of the education center operator could constitute false accusation.
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