"Elected Officials Should Not Accept Condolence Money" ... Oguseok O, Mayor of Gijang County, Hid Family Funeral Again

Oh Gyuseok, Gijang County Governor.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yong-woo] Oh Gyu-seok, the mayor of Busan's Gijang County, recently held a funeral for his father-in-law privately with family members without informing the public.

According to a Gijang County official, the funeral for Mayor Oh's father-in-law was held on the 14th at the National Yeongcheon Memorial Cemetery in Gokyeong-myeon, Yeongcheon City, Gyeongbuk Province.

The official stated that in accordance with Mayor Oh's wish not to disclose private condolences publicly while holding an elected public office, the news of the bereavement was not shared with anyone outside the family.

Mayor Oh did not accept wreaths or condolence money even from employees who knew about the funeral arrangements.

He has often said, "While in public office, I must not accept any money, including condolence money."

When he was about to take office as the 5th elected county mayor in 2010, he also prohibited receiving wreaths and condolence money when his father passed away.

He gained a reputation as an 'incorruptible' local government head by setting the county mayor's business promotion budget to zero won and not spending a single penny for several years. It is known that he personally covered expenses for employees' family events.

Mayor Oh said, "Some elders who found out late felt disappointed or even scolded me, but family funerals are not something to boast about, and I believe that while in office, it is not right to cause inconvenience to others under any pretext."

Mayor Oh will not run in the nationwide local elections held in June this year due to the three-term limit. He declared that he will not accept a single political donation and has announced his candidacy for the next general election.

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