Advisory Committee Recommends Suspension, Council Issues Only Warning
Public Officials' Union: "Protecting Their Own Despite Verbal Abuse"
Son Hyejin Criticizes "Politics Betraying the Spirit of Gwangju"
The Gwangju Bukgu Council has decided to issue the lowest level of disciplinary action, a "public warning," against Councilor Kim Hyungsu, who caused controversy by verbally abusing and giving personal orders to staff members of the council secretariat. The Ethics Review Advisory Committee, which discussed the disciplinary measure, recommended a "30-day suspension of attendance and a public apology," but the council did not accept this recommendation.
On the 30th, during the 4th plenary session of the 302nd extraordinary meeting, the Bukgu Council passed the disciplinary measure. It was revealed that, during his tenure as chair in the first half of last year, Councilor Kim verbally abused a council secretariat staff member while making inquiries regarding year-end tax settlement and ordered the staff member to run personal errands. Following the incident, a special ethics committee and an Ethics Review Advisory Committee composed of external experts were convened. The advisory committee recommended a heavy disciplinary action, but the council significantly reduced the level of discipline.
On the morning of the 30th, in front of the main chamber of the Gwangju Bukgu Council, the Public Officials Union held a picket protest demanding the expulsion and resignation of Councilor Kim Hyungsu.
There was strong backlash both inside and outside the council regarding the level of disciplinary action. On this day, the Gwangju Regional Headquarters of the National Public Officials Union held a picket protest in front of the main chamber, demanding the expulsion and resignation of Councilor Kim.
Na Duseok, head of the Gwangju Bukgu branch of the National Public Officials Union, stated, "Despite the clear evidence of verbal abuse, the council only issued a 'public warning,' which amounts to protecting their own. Institutional measures are urgently needed to prevent such lenient punishments from being repeated." He strongly criticized the decision, saying, "The verbal abuse and personal orders involved were unimaginable in the public sector, but the structure allows politicians to easily overlook such misconduct simply because they are colleagues."
There was also open criticism of the decision from within the council. Son Hyejin, a councilor from the Progressive Party, pointed out in a personal statement during the plenary session, "The victimized staff member showed great courage in raising the issue, but the council did not respond to that courage with sincerity."
Councilor Son also criticized the investigation process, stating, "The process itself was inappropriate. The victim had to testify before an investigator who had previously dismissed another report, which effectively led to intimidation and pressure." She raised concerns about the procedural fairness of the special ethics committee.
She further argued, "This incident is not merely about the misconduct of a single councilor; it exposes the structural ills of Gwangju politics. The single-party dominance and the politics of factional alignment centered on district party chairs are enabling fellow councilors to cover up even clear wrongdoing."
She continued, "We have always called for morality and responsibility as a check on the executive branch, yet when faced with internal problems, we have turned a blind eye to the pain. How can such a council claim any authority?"
The disciplinary proposal submitted by Councilor Son, calling for a "30-day suspension of attendance and a public apology," was rejected in the plenary session with 6 votes in favor and 13 against. The "public warning" proposal submitted by the special ethics committee was ultimately passed with 12 votes in favor and 7 against.
In her closing remarks, Councilor Son stated, "The spirit of Gwangju lies in the values of a just and equal community, but the current political reality in Bukgu betrays those values. We must change so that this council never again becomes a source of despair for victims."
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