Investigation Committee on Sahwa and Daesang Park Questions Three Former and Current Mayors Including Heo Seong-mu

For a total of 26 people from February 16 to 20

The Special Committee for Administrative Investigation on the Private Park Development Special Project for Sahwa and Daesang Parks in Changwon, Gyeongnam, has summoned three former and current Changwon mayors, including former Mayor Heo Seong-mu, as witnesses.

On the 25th, the Administrative Investigation Special Committee held a press conference at the Changwon City Hall Press Center and announced plans to summon former Mayor Ahn Sang-soo, former Mayor Heo Seong-mu, and current Mayor Hong Nam-pyo as key witnesses to be questioned regarding the project.

According to the committee, during the 4th meeting held on the 24th, they received a work report on the overall special project from the Green City Project Office, the department responsible for Sahwa and Daesang Parks.

Following inquiries and opinion gathering from related officials, the list of witnesses to be summoned was finalized.

The main witnesses include three former and current mayors, the city auditor, former and current public officials, representatives of private businesses, and complainants related to the acquisition of national land, totaling 26 individuals.

Members of the Special Committee for Administrative Investigation on the Private Park Development Special Project at Sahwa and Daesang Parks in Changwon-si, Gyeongnam, are discussing future plans such as witness examinations.
[Photo by Lee Seryeong]

The committee plans to conduct witness questioning and listen to statements from February 16 to 20.

They explained that former Mayor Ahn will be questioned about the project initiation and early public recruitment phases, former Mayor Heo about his decisions on major project matters, and current Mayor Hong about instructions given before and after the audit.

Earlier, in November last year, the Changwon City Auditor announced that during former Mayor Heo’s tenure, the department in charge of promoting Sahwa and Daesang Parks provided special favors such as exemption from purchasing shared land to private businesses.

In relation to this, the Democratic Party filed a complaint with the police on the 16th, accusing the city auditor of violating the Public Official Election Act by selectively conducting a targeted audit on major projects of former Mayor Heo, who is running as a preliminary candidate, with the intent to influence the upcoming general election.

Lee Jeong-hee, Vice Chairperson of the Special Committee for Administrative Affairs Investigation of Sahwa and Daesang Park in Changwon-si, Gyeongnam, is announcing the date for witness examination.
[Photo by Lee Se-ryeong]

The committee was formed and is operating following the unanimous adoption of the administrative investigation request on the project at the 2nd plenary session of the 2nd regular meeting of the 129th Changwon City Council.

They are examining the appropriateness and validity of ▲the establishment of the special project plan and implementation plan ▲the initial and revised public recruitment procedures ▲the agreement and amendment process with private businesses ▲the progress and current status of the private business project.

They will also verify ▲the appropriateness of the private business cost estimation ▲the basis for the city’s financial loss of 105.1 billion KRW due to non-purchase of shared land ▲the truth and return plan of the 10 billion KRW profit proposed by the private business ▲and whether the 70% land donation requirement has been met.

They plan to investigate the part where the Changwon Moonsung University park site, initially included in the park area in the original recruitment guidelines, was excluded in the revised guidelines, resulting in no compensation for acquisition.

Lee Jeong-hee, vice-chair of the committee, said, “Our investigation committee plans to keep citizens informed through briefings on the progress of witness questioning to ensure no suspicion remains. In particular, we ask former Mayor Heo to attend the witness questioning and actively explain his decisions regarding the audit announcement by the city auditor and the special favor allegations related to Sahwa and Daesang Parks.”

Chairman Son Tae-hwa stated, “Separately, we intend to conduct a verification service for the total project cost in consultation with Changwon City and private businesses. Considering it may take up to three months, we are also reviewing options to extend the committee’s period or have the relevant project department announce the results after the committee concludes.”

The Sahwa and Daesang Parks Administrative Investigation Special Committee is scheduled to operate until March 30.

The committee plans to hold its 5th meeting on the 30th of this month to proceed with related consultations.

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