Mayor Jo Gwang-han, "Refusal of Illegal Element Audit"‥ Gyeonggi-do Reaffirms 'Audit Objection'

Mayor Cho, "Did Not Refuse Audit Following Legal Procedures"
Gyeonggi Province, "Will Pursue Criminal Charges and Administrative Discipline if Illegal Acts Confirmed"

Jowanghan, Mayor of Namyangju City (left in photo), and Lee Jae-myung, Governor of Gyeonggi Province

[Asia Economy Reporter Ra Young-cheol] As the conflict between the two local governments intensifies over Gyeonggi Province’s audit of Namyangju City, Mayor Jo Gwang-han of Namyangju has reiterated his intention to reject Gyeonggi Province’s specific audit.

On the previous day (the 9th), Mayor Jo posted a message titled "A Message to Employees Regarding the Gyeonggi Province Audit" on the city’s internal bulletin board, expressing his position on the specific service audit conducted by Gyeonggi Province.

In the post, Mayor Jo emphasized once again that "Namyangju City did not refuse the audit following lawful procedures," and reiterated that "the refusal was against an audit containing illegal elements."

He also clarified regarding the TF team responding to the comprehensive audit, which Gyeonggi Province criticized, explaining that "the formation of the TF team was intended to ‘protect our city employees and prevent human rights violations,’ and that our city did not intend to obstruct the audit organizationally."

Furthermore, citing precedents from the Constitutional Court and relevant laws, he clearly stated that Gyeonggi Province’s specific service audit was unjust, and urged Gyeonggi Province once again to stop the threatening reports and audits.

Earlier, on the 2nd, Mayor Jo referred to Governor Lee’s criticism during last year’s National Assembly audit, stating, "The Gyeonggi Provincial Government led by Governor Lee Jae-myung is carrying out the same illegal demands and coercion against Namyangju City. It is a typical case of ‘double standards’."

In March of this year, through social media, he said, "I will post one comment daily about the so-called organized public opinion manipulation by Gyeonggi Province. Please judge for yourselves," openly expressing his frustration toward Governor Lee, saying, "I was going to let it slide, but this really gets on my nerves."

In December of last year, he also filed a complaint with the prosecution against Governor Lee and provincial officials for violations including the Personal Information Protection Act.

The Namyangju branch of the National Public Officials Union is also confronting Gyeonggi Province head-on, demanding correction of the distorted facts that the audit was obstructed and refused organizationally.

Gyeonggi Province, meanwhile, has been increasing pressure on Namyangju City.

After confirming illegal activities through a recent specific audit, the province announced plans for follow-up measures including criminal complaints and administrative disciplinary actions against those involved in Namyangju City.

The province labeled Namyangju City’s refusal to submit comprehensive audit materials as a "disorderly act against national order," and in December last year, filed counter-complaints with the prosecution against Mayor Jo and Namyangju city officials for "abuse of authority and neglect of duty," respectively.

In particular, the province pressured Mayor Jo by threatening to release recorded testimonies from key aides of his political secretary containing various suspicions.

Meanwhile, Governor Lee also stated on his Facebook in November last year, "If there is no wrongdoing, there is no need to refuse or obstruct an audit," and added, "If there are clues of corruption through media reports or public interest whistleblowing, as a higher authority, we must naturally conduct audits according to the law, and hold accountable those responsible based on the investigation results."

Democratic Party lawmakers representing Namyangju, including Jo Eung-cheon, Kim Han-jung, and Kim Yong-min, also urged Mayor Jo to "accept the Gyeonggi Province audit and cooperate sincerely." These lawmakers are classified within the party as part of the Lee Jae-myung faction.

Many view and interpret this situation not merely as a surface-level administrative dispute between local governments, but as a "political feud between Governor Lee Jae-myung of Gyeonggi Province and Mayor Jo Gwang-han of Namyangju City."

In the past, Namyangju City and Gyeonggi Province have clashed over various project implementations, with Mayor Jo and Governor Lee engaging in tense exchanges each time.

A local government head in the Seoul metropolitan area said, "Mayor Jo, who is from the ‘pro-Moon Jae-in’ faction and a former Blue House official under the Roh Moo-hyun administration, and Governor Lee, who is ‘non-pro-Moon’ but a leading presidential candidate from the ruling party, have different political backgrounds and are emotionally invested in this conflict," and refrained from further comment.

A Democratic Party politician outside the National Assembly also expressed concern, saying, "On the surface, it looks like an audit issue between Gyeonggi Province and Namyangju City, but in reality, it is a deep-seated conflict between Governor Lee and Mayor Jo. Considering their political styles and the upcoming election next year, unfortunately, it does not seem likely to end easily."

Within the Gyeonggi Province public service community, there are also claims that the conflict originated from Governor Lee, a ‘non-pro-Moon’ rising presidential candidate, pressuring Mayor Jo, a ‘pro-Moon’ figure, to fall in line.

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