Former and Incumbent Yeoju Mayors in a "Legal War"... Former Mayor Lee Hangjin Files Criminal Complaints Against Mayor Lee Chungwoo

Former Mayor Lee Hangjin Files Three Complaints Against Mayor Lee Chungwoo
Yeoju City Rebuts: "Issue Already Reviewed by the Election Commission"
Yeoju Political Circles in Turmoil Ahead of Local Elections

An unprecedented situation has unfolded in Yeoju, Gyeonggi Province, as a former mayor has filed criminal complaints against the incumbent mayor, sending shockwaves through the local political community.

Former Yeoju Mayor Lee Hangjin (right) and Yeoju City councilor Jung Byungkwan filed three criminal complaints related to Yeoju City administration at the Gyeonggi Nambu Police Agency on the 24th. Photo by Lee Jonggu

On the 24th, former Yeoju mayor Lee Hangjin held a press conference in front of the main gate of the Suwon Gyeonggi Nambu Police Agency together with Yeoju City councilor Jeong Byeonggwan, and submitted three criminal complaints against current Yeoju mayor Lee Chungwoo and Yeoju City Council chairperson Park Duhyung. Local attention is focusing on this unusual situation in which both former and incumbent local power holders are simultaneously being brought before an investigative agency.

The complaints concern three major allegations: alleged irregularities in the relocation of Metasequoia trees and the execution of the related budget; alleged false accusation in connection with a defamation complaint; and alleged illegal fundraising for a Four Major Rivers memorial.

In his statement at the press conference, former mayor Lee said, "It was by no means an easy decision for a former mayor to file a complaint against a sitting mayor," and explained the purpose of the complaints by adding, "Administration does not belong to those in power but to the citizens, and power that is not kept in check is bound to be distorted."

Councilor Jeong, who attended alongside him, also urged a thorough investigation into whether false accusation is established, saying, "The fact that a complaint was filed even though the case was dismissed without indictment raises suspicions about its purposefulness."

He then specifically targeted the defamation complaint case, stating, "The prosecution decided that 'the suspect does not constitute a crime' and issued a non-indictment disposition," and argued, "Nevertheless, it must be clarified what the circumstances and purposes were behind the filing of the criminal complaint."

Regarding the execution of the budget for the tree relocation, they also pointed out, "In a case where restoration to the original state had been requested, it must be clearly determined through what procedures 40.08 million won of citizens' taxes were spent."

Lee Hangjin, former mayor of Yeoju, and Jung Byeonggwan, a Yeoju city councilor, are holding a press conference on the 24th before filing three complaints related to Yeoju administration at the Gyeonggi Nambu Provincial Police Agency. Photo by Lee Jonggu.

They further criticized the alleged fundraising for a Four Major Rivers memorial, saying, "If public officials were involved in soliciting donations, it would constitute a serious legal issue."

Given that these complaints have been filed in the run-up to the local elections, they are expected to have a considerable impact on the local political landscape.

Accordingly, as some observers predict that the investigation results could significantly affect the overall accountability structure and power dynamics of Yeoju City administration, the local community is now watching closely for the investigative agency's judgment.

Meanwhile, regarding the suspicion that Mayor Lee and Council Chairperson Park donated to the Four Major Rivers memorial fund, an official from Yeoju City stated, "As far as I know, the donations were made after we inquired with the National Election Commission and received notification that there was no problem."