Gumi Police Search City Council... Allegations of Personnel Favoritism to Mayor

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Ju Cheol-in] The police conducted a search and seizure at the Gumi City Council in connection with allegations of personnel solicitation involving Kim Taek-ho, a Gumi City Council member (Democratic Party of Korea).

According to the Gumi Police Station on the 10th, allegations arose that Councilman Kim gave money to Mayor Jang Se-yong of Gumi while requesting the promotion of a level 6 public official. As a result, on the 9th, the police searched the Gumi City Council Secretariat for about an hour and secured undisclosed minutes of the Ethics Committee meetings.

Conservative groups such as the Free Republic of Korea Rescue Corps and the Patriotic Citizens' Union filed complaints last month on the 19th against Councilman Kim, Mayor Jang, Mayor Jang’s wife, and the former Director of the Gumi City Administration and Safety Bureau for violations including the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act and dereliction of duty.

In September last year, Councilman Kim testified at the City Council’s Special Ethics Committee that "in December 2018, I visited Mayor Jang’s house and delivered a stone mat, health supplements, and cash to Mayor Jang’s wife," while Mayor Jang explained that "the cash was returned immediately, and the stone mat and health supplements are being stored."

A police official stated, "We conducted the search and seizure to verify the facts following the receipt of the complaint," and added, "We will review statements made by Mayor Jang regarding Councilman Kim’s personnel solicitation at the City Council Ethics Committee."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.