Four Workers Killed in Gwangju Representative Library Collapse
Nam-gu Sports Festival Proceeds on the 13th Despite Tragedy
Book Launch Postponed and Memorial Messages Posted
Local Lawmakers Declined to Attend the Event
Criticism Mounts Over Mayor's "Double Standards" and Focus on Organizational Management
On the 13th, Kim Byungnae, Mayor of Nam-gu, Gwangju, delivered a congratulatory speech at the Hanmaeum Sports Festival hosted by the Gwangju Nam-gu Sports Council and Nam-gu at the Namgu Multipurpose Gymnasium in Jinwol-dong. Photo by the reader
Controversy has arisen as Kim Byungnae, Mayor of Nam-gu, Gwangju, attended a sports event for members of the Nam-gu Sports Council during an ongoing search for those trapped and investigations into accountability following the collapse accident at the Gwangju Representative Library, which resulted in the deaths of four workers.
Critics have pointed out that, while Mayor Kim postponed a book launch event scheduled for the 20th, citing the need for recovery and solidarity after the accident, he proceeded with the sports council event. This has led to accusations that, with local elections approaching next year, he is more focused on organizational management and personal interests than on the tragedy at hand.
According to the Gwangju Nam-gu Sports Council and others on the 13th, the Nam-gu district office and the Sports Council held the Hanmaeum Sports Festival at 1:30 p.m. that day at the Nam-gu Multipurpose Gymnasium in Jinwol-dong. The event was hosted by the Gwangju Nam-gu Sports Council and organized by the Nam-gu district office.
More than 200 people attended, including Kim Byungnae, Mayor of Nam-gu, and members from 21 affiliated sports organizations. The Sports Council reportedly invited local National Assembly members and district councilors to the event as well. However, most declined to attend, citing the inappropriateness of the timing.
Mayor Kim was the only prominent figure to attend, which has drawn criticism for hypocrisy and double standards, especially as he postponed his book launch immediately after the collapse at the Gwangju Representative Library construction site in Seo-gu, Gwangju, on the 11th, where four workers were trapped and killed.
Previously, on the 11th, Mayor Kim posted on his social media, "We are all sharing a heavy heart due to this devastating accident," and added, "I have decided to postpone my book launch event, originally scheduled for the 20th, as recovery and solidarity must come first."
On the morning of the 13th, the third day since the collapse accident at Gwangju Representative Library, rescue authorities are inspecting the site of the accident in Chipyeong-dong, Seo-gu, Gwangju. Photo by Yonhap News
On the day when all four trapped individuals were recovered, Mayor Kim also posted on social media, "Four people lost their lives in the collapse of the Gwangju Representative Library. This sudden and tragic disaster has left an indescribable sorrow in the hearts of their families, colleagues, and all of us," and added, "Carrying the weight of this heartbreaking loss, I will do everything in my power to ensure such a tragedy never happens again."
During his congratulatory speech at the sports festival, Mayor Kim promoted his achievements, mentioning projects such as the Baegun Square development, the National Sports Promotion Center, and the establishment of a glamping site.
He also said, "Not long ago, I had a good dream. I am sharing this dream with everyone here today, so I hope you buy a lottery ticket on your way home."
A representative of the Gwangju Nam-gu Sports Council commented, "We had been preparing for the event for two months," and added, "In light of the collapse accident, we scaled down the event."
Previously, at 1:58 p.m. on the 11th, part of the construction site for the Gwangju Representative Library, being built on the former Sangmu Incineration Plant site in Chipyeong-dong, Seo-gu, Gwangju, collapsed, trapping and killing four workers.
On the same day, the Gwangju Metropolitan Police Agency and the Gwangju Regional Employment and Labor Office conducted searches and seizures at eight locations related to six companies involved in the construction, including the main contractor, Gu-il General Construction, as well as firms responsible for reinforced concrete, supervision, and design.
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