"Stop Political Strife in the Face of National Disaster" United Future Party Gyeongnam Provincial Party and Civic Groups Voice Unified Criticism

The People Power Party's Gyeongnam Provincial Party Committee and civic groups in Changwon criticized the Democratic Party city council members on the 19th who called for the resignation of the Changwon Special Mayor.

The People Power Party provincial committee stated in a commentary, "Due to the nationwide heavy rains, 44 people have died, 6 are missing, and 16,000 disaster victims are shedding tears of blood," adding, "The ruling and opposition parties should unite to overcome this national disaster, yet they are using a case that has not even reached the first trial verdict as a tool for political strife."

People Power Party Gyeongnam Provincial Party.
Photo by Lee Seryeong

They continued, "Have you already forgotten the comment manipulation case of former Gyeongnam Governor Kim Kyung-soo?" and sharply questioned, "Why did former Governor Kim, who was sentenced to prison in the first trial for conspiring to manipulate portal comments and was taken into custody, not resign immediately at that time?"

The provincial committee said, "Securing budgets for future industries and science and technology is a critical point for the 1 million population city of Changwon Special City to leap forward as a true center of Northeast Asia," and urged, "Stop the harmful political strife against Changwon City and its citizens immediately and join efforts to overcome the national disaster and revive the South Coast economy."

The Nara Sarang Association also issued a statement toward the Democratic Party, saying, "Do not call for the resignation of the Changwon mayor based on fake news that has not been confirmed as fact."

The group appealed, "The public will not be deceived by tricks made with mere words," and urged, "Please engage in activities that can be of even a little help to the citizens."

The Democratic Party members of the Changwon Special City Council in Gyeongnam are holding a press conference urging Mayor Hong Nampyo of Changwon to resign.
[Photo by Lee Seryeong]

On the morning of the same day, the Democratic Party city council members held a press conference urging Mayor Hong Nam-pyo's resignation, the swift progress of the trial related to election law violations, and prosecution investigations into allegations of illegal political fund creation and bribery.

They said, "Since December last year, Mayor Hong has been on trial for election law violations related to candidate bribery, and Deputy Mayor Jo Myung-rae is also under suspicion for interfering in the Changwon City Sports Association election and receiving illegal political funds during the local elections."

"Despite the facts revealed so far, Mayor Hong has taken no action to immediately suspend Deputy Mayor Jo," they criticized, raising the tone, "The two are part of a corrupt election cartel."

The council members said, "As revelations about illegal political fund creation by key insiders during Mayor Hong's candidacy emerge, citizens' concerns are growing day by day," and demanded, "Mayor Hong must take full responsibility for all incidents and resign immediately."

"At this rate, Changwon city administration is at risk," they declared, "If demands such as resignation are not accepted, we will make every effort through second and third actions to rectify the situation."

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