People Power Party Taean County Councilors Urge Mayor Gase Ro to Resign Over Anti-Graft Act Violation

Press Conference Held at Chungnam Provincial Government Office
"Loss of Qualifications and Dignity as the Head of Taean County"

Members of the People Power Party from Taean County, Chungnam Province, held a press conference at the Chungnam Provincial Government Press Center on the 14th, urging Gase Ro, the mayor of Taean County, who has been booked on charges of violating the Anti-Graft Act, to resign immediately. Photo by Pyo Yoonji

Members of the People Power Party from Taean County, Chungnam Province, who serve as both metropolitan and basic councilors, have called for the immediate resignation of Taean County Mayor Gase Ro, who has been booked on charges of violating the Anti-Graft Act.

On May 14, Chungnam Provincial Council members Jeong Gwangseop and Yoon Heeshin, along with Taean County Council members Kim Jingwon and Park Seonui, held a press conference at the Chungnam Provincial Government Press Center. They strongly urged, "Mayor Gase Ro must apologize to the residents of Taean County and to over 1,000 public officials, and we strongly demand that he immediately resign from his position as Taean County Mayor."

They stated, "It has been reported that the Criminal Investigation Team of the Chungnam Provincial Police Agency has switched to a compulsory investigation after finding that Mayor Gase Ro allegedly engaged in the sale of official positions by receiving three gold toads, each weighing one nyang and made of pure gold, from a public official in exchange for a promotion to the rank of director."

They added, "After news broke that the mayor had been booked on charges of selling official positions in return for promotions, rumors among public officials that a director-level promotion requires 30 million won and a bureau chief-level promotion requires 50 million won have been confirmed as true. This has caused deep anger among the residents of Taean County."

They continued, "Gase Ro, the mayor of Taean County, who has been booked on charges of violating the Anti-Graft Act, has lost the qualifications and dignity required of the head of Taean County." They also urged, "We call on the Chungnam Provincial Police Agency to conduct a thorough and swift investigation into the suspected violation of the Anti-Graft Act by Mayor Gase Ro, and if the charges are confirmed, to punish him sternly as an example to others."

Chungnam Provincial Council member Yoon Heeshin stated, "Because it is the presidential election period, our actions are limited," and added, "I am currently holding a one-person protest in front of the county office. I plan to continue holding one-person protests at official events where the mayor is present."

Meanwhile, on May 9, the Criminal Investigation Unit of the Chungnam Provincial Police Agency booked Mayor Gase Ro on charges of violating the Anti-Graft Act and conducted searches and seizures of the Taean County Office, the mayor's residence, and his vehicle.