Seongnam Mayor Eun Su-mi Announces She Will Not Run in Next Local Election

Eun Soo-mi, Mayor of Seongnam

[Asia Economy (Seongnam) = Reporter Lee Young-gyu] Eun Soo-mi, mayor of Seongnam City, announced that she will not run for Seongnam mayor in the nationwide local elections this June.

On the 17th, Mayor Eun wrote on her Facebook, "I am a 'public official' who must give hope to the citizens and support you," and began by saying, "Regardless of my grievances or despair, it is truly regrettable and I am sorry that I have been involved in controversies and trials due to poor management of my surroundings, and I am also sorry for not knowing about it."

She continued, "I have not been involved even a bit, so there were many objections (due to the unfairness and from those around me)," adding, "(However) I will take full responsibility by not running."

Furthermore, she said, "The prosecution searched endlessly through my diary, personal emails, communication records up to 2021, and an astonishing 16 years’ worth of data, but finding no evidence, they forcibly indicted me by piecing together coerced statements," and promised, "I strongly condemn the prosecution’s political investigation, and regardless of my decision not to run, I will prove my innocence and integrity to prevent unchecked power from threatening the safety of citizens."

She also emphasized, "I will do my best until the end so that the truth and actions of my sincere efforts to fulfill the authority and duties given by the citizens, clearing the false accusations against me, can be fully conveyed even if belatedly."

Mayor Eun also mentioned another reason for her decision not to run.

She said, "The prosecution’s statements, totaling 12 volumes and an astonishing 7,000 pages, were the epitome of relentless determination to destroy a person," and added, "Facing sharp malice, insults, and ridicule, I suddenly confronted the question, 'Then, were you equally persistent in saving lives? Do you have that capability?' Instead of protecting those who suffer, I myself was caught in a trap. Overcoming this trap, regaining trust, and returning the faith to those precious people who believed in me is what I believe I must do now."

Finally, Mayor Eun stated, "Just as Seongnam’s administration remained steady despite searches about every two months and lawsuits about once a month over the past four years, it will continue to do so during my remaining term," and added, "I will especially strive harder to complete the 'transition from road traffic to rail transit,' including the extension of Subway Line 8 to Moran-Pangyo and the extension of Subway Line 3."

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