Namyangju Mayor Jo Gwang-han Acquitted of Charges Involving Hiring of Subordinate Agency Executives

"Gyeonggi-do Requested Investigation, Suspected Political Issues Involved"

Jokwanghan, Mayor of Namyangju City [Namyangju City]

[Asia Economy Reporter Ra Young-chul] Namyangju Mayor Cho Gwang-han, who was indicted without detention on charges of interfering with the recruitment process of an affiliated organization, was acquitted.

Judge Jang Chang-guk of the Criminal Division 1 at Uijeongbu District Court stated on the 24th, "It is difficult to see any irregularities in the recruitment process," and "Offering a job does not constitute interference with work," explaining the reason for the verdict.

He added, "For a guilty verdict, there must be evidence that Mayor Cho exerted pressure on the recruitment officer, but no such evidence was found."

He further explained, "Mayor Cho encouraged lawyer A, whom he favored, to apply for the position of head of the audit office at the corporation, and the responsible public official guided the application procedure. These actions cannot be linked to undermining the fairness of the recruitment."

After the acquittal, Mayor Cho said, "I only tried to select a better talent for the head of the audit office, and there was no wrongdoing," expressing, "I have endured an absurd hardship for a long time."

He especially emphasized, "Gyeonggi Province requested the investigation, but it seems there was a political issue involved."

Mayor Cho was indicted and tried on charges of interfering with the work of the Namyangju Urban Corporation by proposing lawyer A to apply during the public recruitment process for the head of the audit office in May 2019 and instructing the responsible staff to expedite the recruitment procedure.

Lawyer A, a Namyangju public official, and three current and former employees of the Urban Corporation, who were also indicted on charges of 'interference with work' along with Mayor Cho, were all acquitted.

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