Kim Mikyung, Eunpyeong District Mayor, Files 100 Million Won Compensation Claim Against Representative Joo Oksun

Confirmed compensation fully donated to Eunpyeong-gu COVID-19 response costs... Call for legal revision to hold accountability for large-scale cluster infections

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Kim Mi-kyung, Mayor of Eunpyeong District, announced on the 14th via Facebook that she will claim 100 million won in damages from Joo Ok-soon, the representative of the Korea Mothers' Corps, who made insulting remarks accusing her of revealing her real name "to flatter President Moon Jae-in."

Earlier, on August 22, during the process of promptly informing residents about confirmed COVID-19 cases, the name of Representative Joo Ok-soon was inadvertently exposed on the Eunpyeong District Office blog. In response, Representative Joo filed a complaint with the Seoul Western District Prosecutors' Office at the end of August, accusing Kim Mi-kyung, Mayor of Eunpyeong District, and the responsible officials of defamation and leaking official secrets.

Regarding this, Eunpyeong District stated that the health of Eunpyeong residents was threatened due to the aftermath of the Gwanghwamun rally, and announced that it is reviewing claims for damages including quarantine costs and defamation due to the spread of false information in statements made on a personal YouTube channel.

Mayor Kim said on Facebook, "After the Gwanghwamun rally on August 15, which Representative Joo led and was actively involved in, confirmed cases in Eunpyeong surged. From February 24, when the first confirmed case appeared in Eunpyeong, until August 14, about six months later, there were 78 confirmed cases, but in less than a month from August 15 to September 13, there were nearly twice as many, 155 cases, including those related to the Gwanghwamun rally." She added, "During the spread of COVID-19, a highly concerning infectious disease for the nation, there was no sense of community spirit or consideration in planning, promoting, and executing a large-scale rally."

Regarding the claim for damages, she said, "The Liberation Day rally had court permission for the assembly, so there was no apparent illegality. Even if it caused the spread of infection, a claim for damages would not be established, and even if Eunpyeong District suffered damage, it has no right to raise issues about quarantine non-cooperation by people who are not residents of Eunpyeong," expressing the limitations of current law.

She also requested an amendment to the Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Act, saying, "During the spread of infectious diseases, acts that must be strictly refrained from to prevent large-scale group infections should be minimally defined, and legal measures should be established to hold people accountable if these rules are violated. Among the prohibited acts during infectious disease outbreaks, 'leading large-scale rallies' should be included."

Mayor Kim Mi-kyung further stated, "We have devoted all wisdom and effort to protect residents' health from COVID-19 and to prevent the local economy from stagnating," and added, "All damages confirmed through the trial will be donated to Eunpyeong District's COVID-19 response costs."

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