[Reporter’s Notebook] Before Claiming Unfairness

Public Distrust Deepens Amid Council's Explanations
Calls for Transparency Grow as Buk-gu District Council Faces Scrutiny
Painful Lessons Point to the Need for Self-Reflection and Change

On the afternoon of September 8, in the rain in front of Gwangju Bukbu Police Station. Members of the Buk-gu District Council in Gwangju shouted, "It wasn't illegal," and "The truth has been distorted," but the reactions of passing citizens were cold. "If it was a business trip, why did it have to be with gift certificates?" "Honestly, it's embarrassing." Voices expressing frustration clashed directly with skeptical looks questioning common sense.

The responses from residents encountered on site immediately after the press conference were even more frigid. Some clicked their tongues and turned away, while others said, "If it's a business trip funded by taxes, why do it this way?" and "Just because it's not illegal doesn't mean it's acceptable." There was also criticism that, "If overseas training is necessary, it should be done more transparently." Though brief, these reactions weighed heavier than the council members' explanations.

Within the council, explanations also diverged. A council official, explaining the delay in reimbursement, said, "The council member in charge of the return process said it took time to explain the situation to each member," but added, "The administrative procedure is not complicated. There was no reason for it to be delayed or take this long." However, the council member in question told the reporter, "There was no need to persuade anyone since everyone had already agreed to return the funds; it was simply an administrative delay." Even regarding the same issue, the tone of the statements differed. Some suggested this was an extension of the ongoing internal division within the council.

The launch of a police investigation is also significant. The inquiry has moved beyond a preliminary review to witness interviews, including both council members and council secretariat staff. The mere fact that investigative authorities have become involved shows that this is not just a trivial incident. Regardless of the council members' claims of "legality," investigators are examining the possibility of wrongdoing.

While the council members protested their innocence, public distrust only deepened. Explanations that there was no procedural problem and public reactions that such conduct defies common sense ran parallel. The gap between legal justification and the expectations of ordinary citizens remained unbridged.

What residents want is simple: transparent disclosure of where and how their taxes were spent. Merely saying "it was legal" is not enough to restore trust. As one citizen remarked, the law is the minimum; the council must demonstrate more than that. This is not just a complaint. Legislative activities that ignore the public's standards cannot escape scrutiny and criticism from the media and public opinion.

This issue will be a painful chapter for the Buk-gu District Council. Pain is the starting point for growth. Before protesting unfairness, they must reflect on how they brought about this situation themselves. When it hurts, it must hurt properly. Only then can it become a catalyst for change and a way to regain residents' trust.