Changwon Mayor Hong Nampyo: "Citizens Are Not Deceived, Stop Hindering City Administration"

Democratic Party Lawmakers: "Mayor and Deputy Mayor Corrupt Election Cartel. Resign"

Hong Nampyo, Mayor of Changwon Special City in Gyeongnam, recently expressed anger, accusing some media outlets and a specific political party of producing fake news that hinders the city's administrative development.

On the 18th, as the Democratic Party council members of Changwon City Council urged Mayor Hong to resign and called for the swift progress of the trial related to election law violations, Mayor Hong shared his thoughts through a statement.

Hong Nampyo, Mayor of Changwon Special City, Gyeongnam.
Photo by Lee Seryeong

Mayor Hong began by saying, “Despite the recent continuous heavy rains exacerbating the hardships of people's livelihoods, the fake news agitation by a certain political faction riding on some distorted media has become a deep-rooted obstacle to Changwon's development.”

He emphasized, “We are working to resolve accumulated livelihood issues and promote key policies that will drive Changwon's development, but fake news and slander that incite division between policy leaders and collaborators and amplify incorrect perceptions are obstructing that path.”

He added, “No citizen is unaware that fake news and false framing operations are a staple tactic of a certain political party, but I worry that citizens facing the off-season of summer and heavy rain may feel uneasy. I hope that some media, criticized for creating third-rate fake news to mislead public opinion or distorting true intentions as a tool for propaganda and agitation, will no longer cause misunderstandings.”

Full statement from Hong Nampyo, Mayor of Changwon Special City, Gyeongnam. [Provided by Changwon City Hall]

He also stated, “On the 14th, we legally raised local election funds through an official support committee, and the fund expenditures complied with the guidelines of the Election Commission, with detailed contents verified by the commission.”

Mayor Hong warned, “If they do not give up on damaging reputations and obstructing administration through the spread of fake news and rumors, they will not escape the stern judgment of the vast majority of wise citizens. We will strictly hold them legally accountable in the name of the citizens.”

He said, “I will keep moving forward without yielding to any external pressure or slander, pursuing only the hearts of the citizens and the truth until the day I fulfill the given mission,” and “I will devote myself to recovering from the immediate heavy rain damage and creating the future 50-year food source for Changwon.”

The Democratic Party council members of Changwon Special City Council in Gyeongnam are urging Hong Nampyo, the mayor of Changwon, to resign.
[Photo by Lee Seryeong]

On the same day, the Democratic Party council members of Changwon City Council held a press conference in front of Changwon City Hall, demanding Mayor Hong's immediate resignation.

The council members said, “Since December last year, Mayor Hong has been on trial for election law violations related to candidate bribery charges,” and “The nearly eight months of courtroom battles and the prosecution's search of the mayor's office have pushed the fatigue of citizens and public officials to the limit.”

They continued, “Deputy Mayor Jo Myungrae is also under allegations of interfering in the Changwon Sports Council election and receiving illegal political funds during the local election,” and “As revelations about illegal political fund raising by key internal associates during Mayor Hong's candidacy have emerged, citizens' concerns are growing day by day.”

“Based on the facts revealed so far, Mayor Hong should immediately dismiss Deputy Mayor Jo, but no action has been taken,” they sharply criticized, “The two are in cahoots as a corrupt election cartel.”

They demanded ▲ Mayor Hong's immediate resignation ▲ the prosecution's initiation of investigations into illegal political fund raising and bribery allegations against Mayor Hong ▲ and the swift progress of the trial related to election law violations.

The council members declared, “At this rate, Changwon's administration is at risk,” and “If this is not accepted, we will make every effort to rectify the situation through second and third actions.”

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