Seoul Metropolitan Council: "Mayor Oh Keo-don Not Involved in Hiring Scandal"

Seomin Minsheng Countermeasures Committee Reports Former Mayor Oh to Seoul Central District Prosecutors on Charges of Sexual Harassment of Busan City Hall Interpreter on 26th, Abuse of Power, Abuse of Authority, and Obstruction of Business (Hiring Corruption Request); Seoul City Council Denies Any Contact with Mayor Oh on 28th

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Fragments of former Busan Mayor Oh Keo-don's sexual harassment case have sparked controversy as they have reached the Seoul Metropolitan Council.

The civic group Committee for the People's Livelihood Measures filed a complaint with the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office on the 26th, accusing former Mayor Oh of sexual harassment using his authority at work, abuse of power, and obstruction of business (requesting irregular hiring). The group stated that former Mayor Oh called a female employee who was in charge of interpretation work at Busan City Hall last year into an official vehicle and sexually harassed her for five minutes.

Former Mayor Oh claimed that after the issue arose, he asked the chairman of the Seoul Metropolitan Council, and the employee was hired through a recruitment announcement, working in the Council's Legislative Affairs Office from April last year until recently retiring. Accordingly, the group also filed a complaint against Chairman Shin Won-chul for abuse of power and obstruction of business.

However, on the afternoon of the 28th, the Seoul Metropolitan Council released a statement clarifying, "Chairman Shin has never had any contact or communication with Mayor Oh Keo-don. Not only regarding the matter recently mentioned in the media but also for any other reason, there has been no phone call or contact whatsoever."

Earlier that day, the Council issued a statement strongly denying the civic group's claims. The Seoul Metropolitan Council denied any knowledge of whether the employee mentioned in recent media reports was involved. However, since various claims contrary to facts have been raised regarding the Council's recruitment, they clarified the facts.

The Seoul Metropolitan Council stated that in April 2019, they publicly recruited an international affairs specialist (Grade 7) through open competition. From January 28 to February 8, 2019, a 10-day announcement period, a total of 20 applicants applied, including holders of the country's most prestigious master's degrees in interpretation and translation. Considering disqualifications, an interview committee composed of external members (two foreign language professors, one professor from a national diplomatic institution, and two professors in administrative fields) was formed, and one final candidate was selected.

Additionally, the Seoul Metropolitan Council denied receiving any contact from Busan City or other parties regarding this recruitment.

As Chairman Shin strongly denies the allegations, attention is focused on the investigation results to determine whether the Committee for the People's Livelihood Measures filed the complaint without securing concrete details.

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