Gwangju Civic Groups and Progressive Party Urge Dissolution of City Council Ethics Committee

Three Members Deemed 'Unfit' for the Committee
"Revealing the True Face of One-Party Dominance"

A view of Gwangju City Council.

The Gwangju City Council's Special Ethics Committee has come under fire for its lack of moral integrity. On July 29, the Gwangju Citizens' Coalition, which is comprised of 26 civic groups, issued a statement condemning serious problems in the process of appointing members to the Ethics Committee.

The coalition pointed out the past unethical conduct of three out of the nine recently appointed ethics committee members and demanded the immediate dissolution of the committee. The main controversies involve disciplinary action for drunk driving by independent member Shim Changuk, allegations of illegal contracts and corporate card misuse by Democratic Party member Lim Miran, and inappropriate behavior by member Shim Cheolui.

The coalition strongly criticized the Gwangju City Council's moral laxity, stating, "It is beyond common sense for these individuals to be responsible for ethical reviews." The group also raised concerns over the monopolistic practices of Democratic Party members in the formation of the Special Budget and Accounts Committee.

The coalition questioned the transparency and fairness of the council, stating, "The controversy surrounding the two special committees of the city council is a serious violation of democratic procedures and exposes the true nature of the Democratic Party's one-party dominance." They called for a complete reorganization and a thorough investigation.

Meanwhile, Kim Jooeop, chairperson of the Gwangju branch of the Progressive Party, also issued a separate statement on the same day, asserting that "the ethics committee, composed of unqualified city council members, must be immediately reconstituted."