Buk-gu District Mayor:
"No Recruitment Corruption in Over 10 Years,
Incident Stems from Misunderstanding During Anti-Corruption Commission Investigation"
Daegu Buk-gu District Office has issued an official statement regarding the recent transfer of six public officials, including the district mayor, to the prosecution by the police on charges of "environmental public servant recruitment corruption," stating that this is a "misunderstanding contrary to the facts."
In a statement released on the 4th, the Buk-gu District Mayor emphasized, "Over the past ten years, there has not been a single case of corruption related to personnel matters, including recruitment, at Buk-gu District Office," adding, "If there had been even the slightest issue, Buk-gu District Office would not have received the highest grade in the integrity assessment conducted by the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission."
He went on to say, "We believe this incident stems from a misunderstanding that arose during the investigation based on a report to the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission, and we expect the truth to be clearly revealed through the prosecution's judgment."
He further stated, "We sincerely apologize for causing concern to the residents, but I want to make it clear that this matter is different from the facts," adding, "We will continue to earn the trust of residents through clean and fair administration."
Previously, the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crime Investigation Division of the Daegu Metropolitan Police Agency referred six public officials, including the district mayor, and one public servant to the prosecution last April on charges of violating the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act and obstruction of official duties by fraudulent means, in connection with the "Buk-gu District Office environmental public servant recruitment corruption" case, which was requested for investigation by the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission. The police believe they granted preferential treatment in recruitment to two specific individuals.
This incident is developing into a broader social controversy over transparency and fairness in personnel management at local governments. As Buk-gu District Office received the highest grade in the integrity assessment by the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission, there is keen interest in the outcome of the prosecution's judgment.
Given that the recruitment process of local governments is directly linked to residents' trust, there are calls for a comprehensive institutional review of personnel management and the establishment of preventive measures to avoid recurrence in light of this investigation.
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