Kangsoo Park, Mapo District Mayor: "All Blind Trust Shares Disposed... I Will Focus Solely on Residents and Do My Best"

by Kim Minjin

Published 12 Mar.2026 22:29(KST)

Kangsoo Park, Mayor of Mapo District in Seoul, issued an official statement on Facebook on March 12 regarding the decision by the People Power Party's Ethics Committee to suspend the effect of his disciplinary action.

Kangsoo Park, Mayor of Mapo District. Provided by himself.

Mayor Park addressed the blind trust issue by clarifying, "I have already disposed of all my shares, and the matter has been resolved." He further explained, "Despite these facts not being fully considered, I was referred to the party's Ethics Committee last week." He apologized, stating, "I sincerely regret causing concern to the residents of Mapo District and many others."

He pledged, "I will take this incident as an opportunity to approach district affairs with an even greater sense of responsibility." He continued, "The administration of Mapo District is crucial as it is directly related to the lives of all residents. I will remain steadfast in my dedication to district governance, focusing solely on the residents and doing my utmost for their happiness."

Meanwhile, on the same day, the Supreme Council of the People Power Party resolved to suspend the effect of the six-month suspension of party membership imposed on Mayor Park. This decision appears to have been made as the timing of the appeal coincided with the candidate application period for the June 3 local elections, prompting party leadership to address the ensuing debate over candidate qualifications. As a result, Mayor Park is now eligible to run in the upcoming local elections.

Previously, the Ethics Committee had imposed the disciplinary action citing a conflict of interest violation, stating that Mayor Park had failed to comply with an order to place 80,000 shares (worth approximately 3.5 billion won) of a family-owned media company in a blind trust, filed a lawsuit challenging the order, and took no action even after ultimately losing in the Supreme Court.