Is the Civilian Accompanying Kim Bu-young, Changnyeong County Mayor, on His Trip to Japan a Political Favor?

6 Experts in Culture, Economy, and Sports Criticized for Lack of Expertise as 'Election Favoritism?' Flood of Criticism

During Past Visits, Only 'Yeongsan Juldarigi Preservation Society and Oncheon Association President' Accompanied

Kim Bu-young, Governor of Changnyeong-gun, Gyeongnam, is giving a greeting in Sendai City. [Image source=Changnyeong-gun Office]

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Wook] Kim Bu-young, the governor of Changnyeong County, Gyeongnam, has faced criticism such as "Did he repay favors with the residents' taxes?" after he was absent from the first trial of an election law violation case and included civilians, who were called the top supporters in the last election, in his recent trip to Japan.

Governor Kim, Chairman Kim Jae-han, and a total of 16 people including 10 public officials and 6 civilians traveled to Sendai City, Japan, for 3 days and 2 nights on the 21st to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the friendship agreement. The entire travel expense of 12.37 million KRW, 770,000 KRW per person, was covered by the residents' taxes.

The issue is that among the 6 accompanying civilians, some were core campaign workers for candidate Kim during the last local election. Mr. A, a professional athlete selected for the Japan trip, and Mr. B, an economic expert, both worked as campaign workers for candidate Kim, and Mr. C from the cultural sector participated in the transition committee.

Mr. D, the representative of a local weekly newspaper in the "media sector," who was originally on the visitor list, did not accompany the group.

Mr. B said, "I was asked if I could accompany the visit to Sendai City from Changnyeong County, and I gladly agreed. It is true that I helped during the election, but is it a problem to go on a civilian diplomatic mission?"

He added, "There have been precedents in the past, and even if it wasn't me, someone else would have gone, right?"

The civilian visitor list obtained by this paper shows 1 professional athlete, 2 economic experts, 1 social organization member, and 2 cultural figures. In other cities and counties, when selecting civilian companions, recommendations are requested from the relevant sports association for athletes, the chamber of commerce for economic figures, and the cultural center for cultural figures. This is to prevent any unnecessary controversy. Among the 7 civilians, there is also a "transition committee member for the elected official."

However, according to this paper's verification, Changnyeong County did not make a single recommendation request to the "Changnyeong County Sports Association," "Chamber of Commerce," or "Changnyeong Cultural Center." Former director Lee Soo-young reportedly expressed displeasure at the county's behavior.

Some residents sarcastically commented, "Wasn't the selection mainly focused on people who helped candidate Kim Bu-young? In the economic sector, current cooperative heads, agricultural managers, or CEOs of local companies should have gone, but former cooperative heads and current cooperative executive directors do not fit the purpose."

A county official explained, "Former cooperative heads also have economic experience, the cultural sector planned events like the Santokki Singing Contest, the social sector is led by the head of a consumer organization, and the professional athlete was selected for Korea-Japan youth exchange."

However, it is known that during Changnyeong County's visit to Sendai City several years ago, only three officials related to Yeongsan Tug-of-War, Soejul Tug-of-War, and Gugye-mok, along with the chairman of the Bugok Tourism Hot Springs Association, accompanied as civilians, showing a contrast.

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