The Democratic Party Daegu City Party stated in a commentary released on the 14th, "It is no exaggeration to say that Daegu's local government and its affiliated agencies have now become a showcase of corruption and incompetence." The party added, "While reckless budget execution, hiring irregularities, dereliction of duty, and evasion of legal responsibility continue to erupt one after another, the patience of Daegu citizens has reached its limit."
The Democratic Party Daegu City Party continued, "Hong Joonpyo, the mayor of Daegu, made a reckless remark about returning to Seoul as a citizen without completing his term and has already relocated. The mayor's irresponsibility after leaving the city has led directly to a power vacuum, and the focus of administration has shifted from the citizens to political calculations. Meanwhile, Yoon Seokjun, the head of Dong-gu District Office, who was indicted for violating the Political Funds Act, was sentenced to a 2 million won fine in the first trial, a penalty that invalidates his election. Nevertheless, for nearly three years, he has neglected civil affairs, citing investigations and trials as reasons. This is a clear example of an elected official, entrusted by the residents, effectively abandoning their duties."
The Democratic Party Daegu City Party further stated, "Buk-gu District Office was subjected to a search and seizure, including the district mayor's office, due to suspicions of hiring irregularities for environmental civil servants. Allegations have surfaced that application documents and score sheets were leaked in advance, preferential treatment occurred during the screening process, and an official under investigation received congratulatory money in excess of legal limits. In a situation where fairness and integrity have collapsed, public trust in the administration has hit rock bottom."
The Democratic Party Daegu City Party also pointed out, "The Daegu Foundation for Arts and Culture introduced two new programs at a cost of 480 million won, even though updating the existing system would have cost only 42 million won, and the new programs do not even link drafting and approval processes. The director changed internal regulations to promote a specific employee and instructed that the recruitment process be declared 'no suitable candidate' when their preferred candidate failed in an open hiring process. Furthermore, the fact that expensive overseas business trips unrelated to job duties were paid for with the institution's budget is a typical example of using taxpayers' money as a private privilege."
The Democratic Party stated, "All of this degeneration is the result of one-party dominance. Under prolonged single-party rule, oversight and checks have been rendered powerless, personal connections and patronage appointments have replaced public order, and the responsibilities of public office have been distorted into tools for maintaining power." The party added, "Daegu continues to decline in both industrial competitiveness and city branding."
The Democratic Party Daegu City Party pledged, "We will break the cycle of irresponsibility, incompetence, and corruption. Dismantling the walls of power and privilege and restoring an administration based on fairness and accountability is the first step toward recovery from decline." The party further vowed, "For the future of Daegu, responsible, transparent, and rational administration must be ensured. The Daegu City Party will work together with citizens to the very end to erase the stigma of irresponsibility, complacency, and corruption that has tainted the public sector."
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