Three Gwangju City Council Special Ethics Committee Members Resign Amid Ethics Controversy

"Relevant Actions" Special Budget Committee
Discussing the Possibility of Collective Resignation

A view of Gwangju City Council.

Recently, three members of the Gwangju City Council's Special Ethics Committee, who have been at the center of controversy, announced their intention to resign.

According to the city council on July 30, Shim Changwook, Lim Miran, and Shim Cheol officially conveyed their intention to resign to Chairperson Shin Sujeong. Replacement committee members are expected to be appointed during the next session.

These council members have faced strong criticism from civil society in the past due to various "ethical controversies." In particular, the Gwangju Civil Society Organizations Council has detailed their previous inappropriate actions and questioned their qualifications as ethics committee members.

The main points of controversy included Shim Changwook's drunk driving, Lim Miran's illegal private contracts and violation of the Political Funds Act, and Shim Cheol's inappropriate behavior during the impeachment crisis.

Additionally, the Gwangju branch of the Progressive Party raised ethical concerns about Seo Imseok, pointing out that he caused public uproar by proposing an ordinance to support the Korea Freedom Federation, which had opposed the impeachment of Yoon Sukyeol.

Meanwhile, the city council has also been embroiled in controversy during the formation of the Special Budget and Accounts Committee, facing allegations of concealing internal votes and feigning consensus. As a result, ten council members from the Democratic Party of Korea have been referred to the city party's ethics tribunal. It is currently reported that the budget committee members are seriously discussing the possibility of collectively resigning.