[Reporter’s Notebook] Seocheon County Governor Must Bow Head and Apologize for the Series of Incidents

Seocheon-gun, Chungnam Province, is in turmoil within the public service community as allegations have been raised not only about Kim Ki-woong, the county governor, and his wife’s misconduct but also about the illegal conversion of farmland and forest land.

Although Governor Kim denies the related allegations and any legal violations, the fact that the head of the county, who should above all be honest for the 50,000 residents, is embroiled in various misconduct allegations has drawn unfavorable attention both inside and outside the county office.

It was reported that Governor Kim invited employees to his privately owned log cabin after work to drink wine and show his promotional videos. If the purpose was communication, it could have been done during working hours in a space within the county office or at a public venue that also served as a dining place. It raises questions as to why it had to be at his home after work.

Governor Kim defends himself by saying he did it because he likes people and missed them, so what was wrong. However, it is natural for employees to want to go home and rest after a day’s work. Since the governor, who holds personnel authority, called them, they likely felt they had no choice but to go. Considering the current social atmosphere that strictly deals with power abuse, where even private companies do not send work instructions via KakaoTalk after hours, this situation gives some insight into Governor Kim’s awareness of power abuse.

The emergence of allegations regarding the illegal conversion of farmland and forest land by Governor Kim’s family is even more distressing. During the administrative audit by the Seocheon County Council, the relevant department heads and directors acknowledged the conversion by Governor Kim’s family and stated they would take measures according to related laws, but Governor Kim continues to deny any wrongdoing.

We want to ask Governor Kim: Isn’t it the governor’s duty to comply with laws and regulations more than anyone else, to manage about 800 public officials well, and to run tirelessly to transform a region facing the risk of extinction into a competitive area? Yet, the fact that the governor at the top is the subject of misconduct and legal violation allegations is inexcusable. The very act of lowering Seocheon-gun’s prestige is wrong, and the failure to restore discipline in the public service is also the governor’s responsibility.

Governor Kim should now bow his head and apologize to public officials and residents and declare his determination to undergo a complete transformation for the development of Seocheon-gun during the remainder of his term, using this incident as a turning point.