[Exclusive] COVID-19 Era Seoul City Council Members' Golf Gathering Sparks Controversy

A Seoul Metropolitan Council committee is reportedly preparing for a local away golf gathering from the 13th to 15th, with 7 teams getting ready for golf at a metropolitan area golf course on the 19th, sparking criticism questioning "Are the council members sane amid the suffering caused by COVID-19?"

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] While the entire country is suffering from the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), it has been reported that Seoul city council members are preparing several golf gatherings under the pretext of a unity event, drawing criticism.

A Seoul city council official said in a phone call with a reporter on the 9th, "I understand that they have been holding gatherings because they have not been able to have unity events centered around standing committees," adding, "However, since some council members are spreading news about holding golf meetings, we sent text messages advising caution."

According to the investigation, one committee of the Seoul city council is reportedly preparing an away golf trip from the 13th to the 15th. Also, on the 19th, seven golf teams are being prepared at K Country Club, and members are being recruited.

In particular, there are speculations that this golf gathering might be related to the election for the chairperson of the Seoul city council.

A Seoul city council official criticized, "Is it even reasonable for Seoul city council members to hold golf gatherings while the whole country is suffering from COVID-19?"

Meanwhile, the election for the chairperson of the second half (2 years) of the 10th Seoul city council, which begins on July 1, is gradually heating up. The Seoul city council will select the chairperson candidate for the second half on June 20.

The candidates for this election are known to be Kim In-ho, a three-term member who served as the chairperson of the Planning and Economy Committee and as vice-chairperson (Dongdaemun 3), and Choi Woong-sik, a three-term member who served as the chairperson of the Transportation Committee and the Operations Committee (Yeongdeungpo 1).

Earlier, Kim Yong-seok, the representative member of the Democratic Party in the Seoul city council, held a meeting with three-term members and decided on Jo Sang-ho, a three-term member (Seodaemun) as the candidate for representative member, and Kim Jeong-tae (Yeongdeungpo) as the candidate for Operations Committee chairperson.

Also, Kim Ki-duk, a three-term member, was confirmed as the candidate for vice-chairperson, and it was decided to select one person through a primary between Kim Kwang-soo and Kim Je-ri. However, among the first-term members, Kim Kwang-soo (Dobong), a former budget committee chairperson, is facing some opposition, while Kim Je-ri, originally from the Liberty Korea Party, is considered to have weak roots within the Democratic Party, making the outcome noteworthy.

Additionally, four second-term city council members including Lee Hyun-chan, Hwang Kyu-bok, and Woo Hyung-chan are to be selected as standing committee chairpersons. Among the standing committee chairpersons, five seats are expected to be allocated to first-term members, with No Sik-rae, Jeong Ji-gwon, and Oh Hyun-jung being mentioned as candidates for standing committee chairpersons.

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