The governor and vice-governor of Sancheong County, South Gyeongsang Province, were reported to authorities last month on charges of neglecting their duties, including failing to properly assess the damage during the 'extreme heavy rain' event.
According to the Sancheong Police Station on August 1, a man in his 70s, identified as Mr. A, filed a complaint against Governor Lee Seunghwa and Vice-Governor Jeong Youngcheol for dereliction of duty.
Mr. A took issue with Vice-Governor Jeong's statement when reporting the damage situation during President Lee Jaemyung's visit to the site of extreme heavy rain damage in Sancheong County on July 21.
At that time, President Lee repeatedly asked Vice-Governor Jeong whether there had been any damage from the heavy rain in Sicheon-myeon, Sancheong County, which had suffered extensive damage from a large wildfire in March. Vice-Governor Jeong consistently replied, "There was no damage."
However, in the Sicheon-myeon area, there was damage from the heavy rain, including a landslide on the mountain behind the village and trees and earth pouring down right in front of residential houses.
Subsequently, the presidential office reported that President Lee, in his opening remarks at a meeting with senior aides, criticized that "false, incomplete, and fabricated reports lead to misjudgment of the situation and make resolution more difficult," and that "false reports by public officials meant to evade momentary responsibility actually increase the risk."
The spokesperson for the presidential office acknowledged that this criticism was related to Vice-Governor Jeong's report on the damage.
Mr. A submitted the complaint on the grounds that Vice-Governor Jeong's failure to properly assess the damage led to such false statements, and that Governor Lee also bears responsibility for this.
The police plan to review the related matters now that the complaint has been received.
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