Injured Veterans Association and Meritorious Persons Association, Plans to Sue and Accuse Even Close Aides of Mayor Kang Ki-jung
Mayor Kang States "May Constitute False Accusation"... Response Planned After 5·18 Memorial Period
Some 5·18 public organizations have announced plans to additionally file complaints against close aides of Gwangju Mayor Kang Gi-jung, deepening the conflict with the Gwangju city government.
Mayor Kang Gi-jung also raised suspicions regarding the selection process of the 5·18 Education Center operator and took a hardline stance by stating that the complaints filed against him and his associates to the prosecution could "strictly be considered false accusations," further escalating the conflict.
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."
On the 22nd, the 5·18 Democratic Movement Injured Persons Association and the Meritorious Persons Association held a press conference at the Injured Persons Association office within the 5·18 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]
They continued, "After filing a protest rally near the National Cemetery area, banners with phrases such as 'Kang Gi-jung step down' and 'Reinvestigate the Lime Scandal' were displayed, but Mayor Kang’s aides and driver tore down the banners and assaulted Victims Association members during the process," adding, "We plan to file complaints on the morning of the 23rd against Mayor Kang, his driver, and aides for violations of the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes (joint injury), the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes (joint property damage), and the Assembly and Demonstration Act."
They also expressed their intention to file a complaint against Kim Kwang-jin, Gwangju’s Deputy Mayor for Culture and Economy, 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 consumed alcohol 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 an aide accompanying Deputy Mayor Kim, and that inside the restaurant, instead of a solemn atmosphere of remembrance, people were shouting "Kim Kwang-jin! Kim Kwang-jin!" in a manner reminiscent of a lawmaker’s campaign kickoff event.
The organizations stated, "Deputy Mayor Kim Kwang-jin, who held a drinking party at the eve ceremony, should immediately resign from his position and not disgrace the citizens of Gwangju and the 5·18 victims," adding, "We are considering filing complaints against Deputy Mayor Kim for breach of trust or pre-election campaign violations for disrespecting the 5·18 spirits and victims and using the corporate card funded by citizens’ taxes for a drinking party. However, if Mayor Kang dismisses Deputy Mayor Kim before the complaint is filed, we will not proceed with the complaint."
Additionally, the two organizations said, "In commemoration of the 5·18 Democratization Movement memorial period, we aim to correct the unreasonable and improper administration of Mayor Kang," and "Starting from the 22nd, we will collect and receive reports on all cases of unfair personnel actions, human rights violations, and unfair treatment experienced by citizens, Gwangju city officials, and employees of city-affiliated institutions."
Meanwhile, the two organizations also filed complaints with the prosecution on the 15th against Mayor Kang and five city officials on charges including abuse of authority.
The complaint stated that Mayor Kang had inappropriately intervened in the process of soliciting operators for the "5·18 Democratization Movement Education Center consignment operation," and Gwangju city explained that the complaints filed by the 5·18 organizations regarding issues in the selection process of the education center operator could constitute "false accusations."
Meanwhile, Mayor Kang Gi-jung recently said regarding the 5·18 Meritorious Persons Association and Victims Association that filed complaints against him, "Repeatedly filing complaints and accusations over legitimate administrative procedures could strictly be considered false accusations."
He also added, "This is the first 5·18 period since the start of my mayoral term," and "I will announce how I plan to respond after the memorial period ends on the 27th."
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