Kyo Kwang-han, "Why take legal action at this point..." Will Lee Jae-myung get caught in the crossfire?

"During the discussion process on duty suspension, opinions were never asked or heard even once"

Jokwanghan, Mayor of Namyangju City

[Asia Economy Reporter La Young-cheol] Amid the expanding controversy over Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung's 'policy plagiarism,' Namyangju Mayor Cho Gwang-han, who was suspended from party duties by the party's Supreme Council and referred to the party's Ethics Tribunal, declared a strong intention to respond, calling it "political oppression."

In a statement released on the 8th, Mayor Cho expressed his discomfort with the party by referring to a remark made by the late President Roh Moo-hyun in March 2003 during a conversation with prosecutors and inspectors, saying, "At this point, are you just going to do whatever you want?"

Regarding the Democratic Party's suspension of his party position on the previous day (7th), Mayor Cho said, "It is hard to dispel the reasonable suspicion that suspending the symbolic party positions automatically granted to a local government head?such as national delegate, central committee member, and Gyeonggi Province executive committee member?one month after being indicted was an attempt to tarnish my reputation."

He continued, "During the process of discussing the suspension of my party position, my opinion was never asked or heard even once," and added, "This is an outrage and political oppression carried out by a certain group within the Democratic Party, and I will take legal action."

Specifically concerning the recruitment of the audit director at Namyangju Urban Corporation, he stated, "Although there were some inappropriate parts in actively announcing the application, it has nothing to do with corruption," emphasizing, "During the recruitment process, we did not alter qualification requirements or manipulate interview scores to hire a specific person, nor did I receive any money or have any special relationships."

Mayor Cho added, "Since the indictment concerns obstruction of business and the trial is currently underway, the truth will be clearly revealed through the court proceedings."

Furthermore, he strongly refuted the party's decision to suspend his party position on the grounds of corruption, saying, "I have never received bribes or illegal political funds, and I cannot help but question, based on legal common sense, whether the unconfirmed obstruction of business falls under corruption according to Article 80, Paragraph 1 of the party constitution."

He also expressed puzzlement, saying, "Considering the case was indicted in early June and that Governor Lee Jae-myung and I are currently in an uncomfortable relationship over 'policy plagiarism' regarding river and valley maintenance, I wonder why such a decision had to be made now?it feels like 'knocking on a bongchang while sleeping' (an idiom meaning doing something pointless)."

Meanwhile, the Democratic Party, during a closed Supreme Council meeting on the morning of the 7th, suspended Mayor Cho's party position and referred him to the party's Ethics Tribunal after Secretary-General Yoon Kwan-seok reported the disciplinary proposal.

The Supreme Council cited Article 80, Paragraph 1 of the party constitution, which stipulates that party positions can be suspended if a member is indicted on charges related to corruption such as bribery and illegal political fund receipt.

In response, Mayor Cho expressed regret toward the party, calling it an "attempt to tarnish my reputation." He is also engaged in a conflict with Governor Lee Jae-myung over river and valley maintenance in the Namyangju area.

The political and Gyeonggi Province public service communities are paying close attention to how the Democratic Party's decision to suspend Mayor Cho's party duties and the deepening conflict between him and Governor Lee will affect Governor Lee Jae-myung's presidential ambitions amid the controversies such as 'policy plagiarism.'

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