Former Yeosu City Chief Secretary Summarily Indicted for Occupational Breach of Trust... Fined 5 Million Won

Close Aide to Mayor Jung Kimyung Faces Repeated Controversies
Political Burden Expected Ahead of Next Year's Local Elections
Blow to Administrative Trust as Public Discontent Grows

Yeosu City Hall exterior view. Provided by Yeosu City

The Suncheon Branch of the Gwangju District Prosecutors' Office announced on October 16 that it had summarily indicted former Yeosu City Hall chief secretary Kim for occupational breach of trust, imposing a fine of 5 million won.

According to the investigation, on May 12 at around 8:00 a.m., former chief secretary Kim was driving a government vehicle near Seonso Bridge in Yeosu when he was involved in a collision with a turning vehicle. The Yeosu City-owned vehicle Kim was driving was declared a total loss and scrapped as a result of the accident.

The investigation revealed that at the time, Kim had used the government vehicle for personal reasons unrelated to his official duties. Prosecutors regarded this as 'abusing official authority to cause loss to public property' and applied the charge of occupational breach of trust.

A Yeosu City official stated, "It became an issue that the chief secretary, who should be held to the highest standards of integrity and transparency as a public servant, used the government vehicle for private purposes."

The citizen who reported the incident argued, "Causing an accident and leading to the scrapping of a government vehicle due to private use is not mere carelessness but a clear act of breach of trust."

This incident has heightened public distrust in Yeosu City's internal administration. The city hall's secretary office is a department directly under the mayor, where integrity and fairness are especially emphasized. As such, the fact that a close aide to the mayor is involved has had a significant impact.

One citizen commented, "It is difficult for citizens to accept that a public official caused an accident while using a government vehicle for personal reasons," adding, "The transparency of city administration needs to be reassessed."

This incident is also expected to pose a considerable political burden for Yeosu Mayor Jung Kimyung. Former chief secretary Kim, a key aide to Mayor Jung, has been at the center of various controversies during his tenure. Both inside and outside city hall, criticism has arisen that Mayor Jung cannot be free from responsibility regarding personnel management and oversight.

A local political figure stated, "With Mayor Jung Kimyung preparing to run for re-election in next year's local elections, this incident could damage his morality and leadership. Voters will make a sober judgment."

Ultimately, this incident goes beyond a simple traffic accident and serves as an opportunity to reflect on the integrity of public officials and the reliability of city administration. Attention is focused on whether Yeosu City will use this case to strengthen measures for managing government vehicles and establishing discipline among public officials.