The Democratic Innovation Council of Sejong: Accountability for the Fatal Accident Comes First
"There Is No International Event More Important Than Life and Safety"
Choi Minho, the mayor of Sejong City, is scheduled to leave the country on July 24 for an official overseas business trip. The purpose of the trip is to receive the flag for the Chungcheong Region Summer World University Games (World University Games), which will be held in 2027. However, there has been some negative response, as he is departing amid a chaotic situation following the recent death of a missing person in the local community.
The Democratic Innovation Council of Sejong (Standing Representative Kim Suhyeon) issued a statement, saying, "It is inappropriate for Mayor Choi to leave the country at a time when he should be taking the tragic incident of a citizen's death?recognized only 23 hours after the swift water disappearance incident occurred?with utmost seriousness." The council called for the immediate cancellation of the overseas business trip and emphasized the need for a thorough investigation to determine the facts of the accident and for responsible action to be taken.
Mayor Choi had planned to travel to Europe, including Germany and Croatia, from July 24 to August 1 to receive the flag for the Summer World University Games. However, during the process of the swift water disappearance incident, administrative procedures were not handled smoothly, resulting in the unfortunate outcome of the missing person being found dead.
The issue being raised is that he is leaving for the trip under these circumstances.
The Innovation Council pointed out, "This incident is not a simple disaster, but a failure of Sejong City's disaster response system. The fact that the disappearance was not even recognized for 23 hours, and that the citizen who was not rescued in time ultimately lost their life, has led even the presidential office to express strong regret and order a thorough investigation and accountability."
The council further emphasized, "Now is not the time to go and receive the World University Games flag. Now is the time to determine why the life safety system failed to function, what was done during those 23 hours, who is responsible, and why a citizen had to die."
The council argued that for Mayor Choi to be absent at such a critical time?when even the central government has ordered an investigation?constitutes an irresponsible act that neglects even the most basic duties of a public official.
In response, a city official stated, "The disappearance incident that occurred in the region is truly unfortunate, but the overseas business trip had already been scheduled."
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