Local Food Store Controversy Summoned in Election Scene, Hamyang-gun "Cannot Disclose Due to Ongoing Investigation"

Allegations Raised Against County Governor Preliminary Candidate, Explanation at Press Conference on the 6th

Deputy Governor Kang Seung-je is holding a press conference related to local food.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Choi Soon-kyung] A large-scale embezzlement case that occurred at the local food direct sales store in Hamyang-gun, Gyeongnam, has been summoned to the local elections, causing a stir.

With another claim spreading that “the embezzling employee is a family member of a close aide to a preliminary candidate,” the Hamyang election scene has fallen into an uncontrollable whirlwind.

The remarks of preliminary candidate Jin Byeong-yeong, who voluntarily held an emergency press conference on the 5th, sparked the controversy.

Preliminary candidate Jin said, “There was a report that the largest embezzlement case since the opening of Hamyang-gun recently occurred,” and “County Governor Seo Chun-su should deeply reflect on the responsibility for the employee’s large-scale embezzlement case and disclose every detail so that no suspicion remains,” igniting the responsibility debate against Governor Seo.

In response, Hamyang-gun held a press conference on the 6th chaired by Deputy Governor Kang Seung-je, countering that the allegations were irresponsible.

Deputy Governor Kang said, “We deeply apologize for failing to fulfill the responsibility of managing and supervising the fixed-term workers, regardless of the reasons,” and “Through an internal audit, the misappropriated amount has been fully reimbursed, and currently, the Board of Audit and Inspection and judicial investigations are underway.”

He added, “The local food sales proceeds are managed and settled by the Agricultural Technology Center at the request of the Local Food Council, which consists of representatives of tenant companies. The Agricultural Technology Center temporarily holds the sales proceeds and pays the farmers once a month,” explaining, “The relevant account is related to the income of participating companies and their associated expenses, and is not money deposited in the county treasury.”

Furthermore, he said, “Through the internal audit, we checked the damage situation targeting local food tenant companies and farmers, and confirmed that there was no damage such as non-payment of sales proceeds. The Board of Audit and Inspection is conducting additional investigations, but no public officials related to the misappropriation of sales proceeds have been identified. According to the audit results, measures will be taken against public officials who neglected management and supervision.”

Deputy Governor Kang pointed out, “However, it was inappropriate for a preliminary candidate for county governor in the local elections to voluntarily hold a press conference and publicly announce provocative expressions such as ‘the largest embezzlement case since the opening’ and suspicions and responsibility theories as if there was intentional concealment, especially during the sensitive election period.”

He emphasized, “The reason the incident was not disclosed promptly was because some measures had already been taken and investigations by the Board of Audit and Inspection and judicial authorities were underway, making it impossible to disclose.”

Regarding some claims that “the employee in question is a family member of a close aide to the county governor, so it is being covered up,” Deputy Governor Kang dismissed the suspicion, saying, “The employee was hired through a fixed-term worker recruitment announcement, and since the Board of Audit and Inspection is investigating, the results will be known later.”

He also explained, “Premature announcements would clearly harm the affected farmers and the brand value of Hamyang agricultural products, and since the matter is under investigation, it was not allowed to be disclosed.”

As preliminary candidates competing ahead of the county governor election directly held a press conference and pushed unclear matters into suspicions and responsibility theories against opponents, controversies over violations of election laws are also being raised, drawing attention to the outcome of this dispute.

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