National Innovation Party: "Gokseong County Council Members Must Apologize Publicly to Residents"

Gokseong-Gurye Regional Committee Issues Statement
"Step Down from Council Positions"

The Gokseong-Gurye Regional Committee of the National Innovation Party (Chairman Park Ungdu) strongly criticized the recent police raids on Gokseong County Office and Gokseong County Council, demanding that those involved "make a public apology to the residents."

In a statement released on September 18, the regional committee pointed out, "The Gokseong County Council has now become a battleground of internal strife." The committee emphasized, "Rather than waiting for next year's local elections, the only remaining courtesy is to dissolve the county council immediately."

On September 17, the police raided the county office and council after suspicions emerged of collusion between council members and construction contractors, as well as indications of bribery.

The regional committee stated, "Although council members have already been fined for violating the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act, and suspicions of collusion with construction companies have surfaced, the council merely issued a 20-day suspension-lighter than the 30-day suspension recommended by the Special Civil Ethics Advisory Committee-allowing the matter to be brushed aside. They have not even issued an official apology to the residents," the committee criticized.

The committee further argued, "This police raid is the result of the Democratic Party’s monopoly on local power, which has eliminated change and innovation. It demonstrates how a lack of political competition has fostered corruption and misconduct."

The regional committee also urged, "Council members who have tarnished the reputation of Gokseong County and undermined the values of local autonomy must make a public apology to the residents and resign from their positions immediately."

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