Sinan County Residents Call for Investigation into Allegations Surrounding Four Projects During Former Governor Park Wooryang's Tenure

Call for Investigation into Projects Including Public Property Exchange and Accommodation for Salt Farm Workers
Rally Held Outside Gwangju Regional Serious Crime Investigation Office on Nov. 13; Petition Calling for Investigation Submitted

Residents of Sinan County in Jeonnam-Gwangju called for a thorough investigation into the process and overall budget spending for four major projects pursued during the tenure of former Sinan County Governor Park Woo-ryang.

The Citizens' Group Calling for a Thorough Investigation into Administrative Allegations in Sinan County (hereafter, the Citizens' Group) held a rally on the morning of November 13 outside the Gwangju Regional Serious Crime Investigation Office in Jungheung-dong, Buk-gu, Gwangju, and demanded that "the truth behind the allegations be clearly established, as these matters involve the people's valuable assets and substantial public funds."

At 7 a.m. on the 13th, around 250 residents of Sinan County gathered outside the Gwangju Regional Serious Crime Investigation Agency to call for an investigation into allegations against former county governor Park Wooryang. Reporter Jeong Seunghyeon

The rally followed the county's recent filing of a criminal complaint against former Governor Park over four major projects pursued during the seventh and eighth popularly elected administrations, on suspicion of occupational breach of trust and other offenses. An estimated 300 people attended, according to the Citizens' Group. Participants held banners and hand-held placards and chanted slogans calling for a swift and fair investigation.

The projects for which the Citizens' Group is seeking clarification of the allegations are the exchange of public property and the construction of a climate-responsive urban forest in Jido; the construction of safe accommodation for salt farm workers; the donated tree projects, including the prestigious hackberry tree path; and the year-round, one-island-one-garden project.

Regarding the public property exchange and the construction of a climate-responsive urban forest in Jido, the group argued that investigators should verify whether the land selected for exchange and the appraisals were appropriate, and whether the exchange procedures were lawful. It also said the investigation should determine whether any individual received an undue benefit and how decisions were made from the launch of the project through final approval.

Regarding the construction of safe accommodation for salt farm workers, the group called for scrutiny of the legality of the project operator selection and contracting processes, the appropriateness of the contract method and advance payments, and the validity of budget spending at each stage.

This is the first time since the start of the ninth popularly elected administration that Shinan County residents have taken to the streets to hold a rally, carrying placards themselves. Reporter Jeong Seunghyeon.

For the donated tree projects, including the prestigious hackberry tree path, the group raised questions about the appropriateness of the appraised value of the trees and the calculation of costs for uprooting and transportation, as well as the standards and details of payments made to donors. It said investigators should also determine whether any individual received an undue economic benefit in the process.

Regarding the year-round, one-island-one-garden project, the group asked investigators to establish whether the selection of contracting companies and the calculation of contract amounts were appropriate, and whether contracts were split, certain companies were favored, or improper instructions or preferential treatment were involved.

In a statement, the Citizens' Group stressed that "this matter should not be dismissed as a mere controversy over administrative procedures" and called for a thorough investigation of the decision-making process and overall budget spending, from the initial planning of the projects through final approval. It also called for the swift preservation and securing of relevant documents to prevent evidence from being tampered with, and for the investigation's progress and results to be disclosed transparently to the extent permitted by law.

The group also said, "We are not prejudging any particular individual as a criminal," adding that "allegations concerning public property and budgets must be examined, regardless of anyone's position or authority." It continued, "The people's taxes are not the private property of those in administrative power," and urged investigators to "conduct the investigation solely in accordance with the law and principles, without political considerations."

After the rally, the Citizens' Group submitted a petition calling for an investigation to the Gwangju Regional Serious Crime Investigation Office. The previous day, November 12, it had filed a request for a meeting with the office's general public service center.

In its petition, the Citizens' Group stated, "The people's trust begins with administrative transparency," and strongly urged the authorities to "uncover the truth behind the allegations concerning Sinan County's administration through an objective and fair investigation."

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