Banjaeshin Gwangju City Councilor Condemns Unfair Personnel Appointments Involving Market Insider Linked to Various Misconducts

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] Ban Jae-shin, a member of the Gwangju Metropolitan City Council, condemned the unfair personnel administration that protects the secretarial staff of Mayor Lee Yong-seop of Gwangju, who were involved in misconduct.

On the 30th, Councilor Ban issued a statement saying, "Since the 7th term of the civilian government, the secretarial staff who are the closest aides and practically the right hands of Mayor Lee Yong-seop have been involved in misconduct and have been investigated, making this the third case already. The shame has become the citizens' burden, and citizens are voicing complaints saying, 'The mayor, who preaches integrity, should take care of his own secretarial staff first.'"

He emphasized, "A secretary who was recently sent to the prosecution on charges including bribery has been receiving a salary openly for six months during the investigation without any sanctions," adding, "Many citizens are outraged that taxpayers' money has been spent on corrupt public officials."

He continued, "The city explained that it could not take measures beyond suspension from duty because it had not received notification of the investigation details, but this is not convincing at all when looking at the relevant regulations," and said, "The personnel administration of Gwangju City is nothing more and nothing less than the mayor watching out for his close aides who are corrupt public officials."

He also stated, "A secretary who leaked COVID-19 documents containing citizens' personal information and received a suspended sentence is still working normally," and questioned, "It is doubtful whether ordinary public officials who committed the same misconduct could receive delayed or lenient disciplinary actions like the previous cases involving the mayor's close aides."

He added, "We urge the executive branch to provide a clear apology and explanation regarding this matter."

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