Daegu Gyeongsilryeon Issues Statement
It was reported on November 11 that the Daegu Dalseo District Council has once again embarked on an overseas training trip, even though one council member and a council office staff member had previously been referred to the prosecution on charges such as breach of duty for submitting false and inflated business travel expenses by overstating airfare costs during official overseas trips.
The Daegu Citizens' Coalition for Economic Justice (Daegu Gyeongsilryeon) stated, "On the afternoon of November 9, ten council members and four staff members from the council office departed for Taipei, Taiwan. They will be on a six-day, four-night overseas training schedule in Taipei and other locations. The Dalseo District Council pressed ahead with the overseas training without hesitation, even while an investigation into related corruption is ongoing."
Seo Boyoung, head of the Taiwan training delegation from the Daegu Dalseo District Council, reportedly said, "In the past, relying on travel agencies to coordinate the itinerary led to many misunderstandings. However, this time, we organized a practical training program through a professional institution, directly visiting key sites such as incineration and waste treatment facilities."
Daegu Gyeongsilryeon is particularly focused on the fact that the council members pushed ahead with the overseas training trip even as the June 3, 2026 local elections draw near.
The organization added, "Public opinion regarding overseas training trips by local council members is at its worst. It is clear that going on such a trip immediately after council members and staff were referred to the prosecution for submitting false and excessive expenses will have a negative impact in the next local elections. In the case of the Dalseo District Council, the issue regarding the Australia and New Zealand training trip, which became a national controversy last year, also remains unresolved."
Daegu Gyeongsilryeon further stated, "The fact that Dalseo District Council members are proceeding with this Taiwan training trip suggests either a disregard for the upcoming local elections or confidence in some form of backing. That backing is likely the belief that, regardless of residents' reputation or support, they can win the election or secure a nomination from their party, and that they can continue to receive party nominations even after forcing through such overseas trips." The organization characterized this as a declaration by the council that it has abandoned its role as a representative body for residents.
Daegu Gyeongsilryeon urged the Democratic Party of Korea and the People Power Party, to which the council members participating in the Taiwan trip belong, to exclude them from nomination in the upcoming local elections.
Of the ten Dalseo District Council members who went ahead with the Taiwan training trip, nine are from the People Power Party and one is from the Democratic Party of Korea.
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