Participant Autonomy 21 Criticizes Severity of Disciplinary Actions Against Gwangju Buk-gu Corrupt Council Members

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] Participation Autonomy 21 has voiced criticism regarding the disciplinary proposal for members of the Gwangju Metropolitan City Buk-gu Council involved in misconduct such as illegal private contracts, violation of dual employment reporting, and abuse of position.

On the 1st, Participation Autonomy 21 stated in a press release, “The Buk-gu Council must never take lightly the weight of authority and responsibility entrusted by the citizens.”

They began by saying, “The disciplinary proposal for the three Buk-gu Council members involved in misconduct was decided as a ‘public apology.’ We feel devastated seeing this decision by the Buk-gu Council, which has betrayed the hopes of citizens who earnestly wished for council members to act as the eyes and hands of the people, to check administrative power, and to engage in legislation and political activities for the citizens.”

They continued, “In June, the Buk-gu Council also drew public anger by imposing only a light penalty of a 30-day suspension on a council member who, over the course of a year, secured 11 private contracts from Buk-gu Office through a company registered under his wife’s name, violating the Local Contract Act. Our anger at the Buk-gu Council’s measures against the three council members who violated the Local Contract Act through illegal private contracts stems from their abandonment of self-purification efforts regarding misconduct.”

They added, “The Buk-gu Council, having repeatedly faced members’ misconduct, promised to comprehensively revise the ‘Buk-gu Council Members’ Code of Ethics and Conduct Ordinance’ to significantly strengthen disciplinary standards. In one case, a council member used his position to support the delivery of computer equipment by a company led by a senior from his hometown. It is known that Buk-gu Office purchased goods worth approximately 474 million KRW, including computers, from that company over the past year.”

They emphasized, “The delegation of power by citizens is solemn. If one lacks the will to bear this responsibility and is not prepared as a public servant, they should rather voluntarily step down from their position as a representative of the citizens.”

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