Boseong County Mayor Kim Cheol-woo Suspected of Evading Reporters

New Tamasa reporters visited the county office to meet Boseong County Mayor Kim Cheol-woo, but the mayor was not present. A county official stated the mayor was on a business trip to Beolgyo, saying, "He went to Beolgyo." Most key officials, including the chief of staff, were also absent, making a meeting difficult.

When reporters revisited two days later, Mayor Kim had come to work in the morning but left abruptly. A staff member from the secretary's office replied that the mayor was suffering from severe diarrhea and enteritis, making it difficult for him to carry out his schedule. The staff member explained, "He had very severe diarrhea, so he came to work in the morning... he had such severe diarrhea that he went home from Green."

The official stated, "I understand it's all resolved... a notice of non-prosecution came. A notice of no charges." However, when reporters tried to verify the facts, the official, recently appointed, said they did not know the details, avoiding a clear explanation.

New Tamasa reporters commented, "He was hiding in a small room inside the mayor's office... he seems to have taken refuge." Speculation also arose that the chief of staff's excessive politeness and delay in arranging a meeting were deliberate tactics to buy time for the mayor to evade them.

It was confirmed that Director Kim Soon-seok and related individuals visited together when the occupancy permit for the Bibong Marina building was approved. New Tamasa reporters asked the current team leader, "Originally, to get the occupancy permit, Director Kim Soon-seok and Mr. Kim came together... As far as I know, the occupancy permit for that facility was obtained by the sports club where I am?" The relationship between the entrusted party and the sports club that actually requested the occupancy permit was unclear, and the county office's explanation of administrative procedures was also inadequate.

Regarding the alleged double contract for Bibong Marina, the responsible official denied it, stating, "This is the first I've heard of it." The official said, "We also didn't hear that fact, and it became an experience, but this is the first I'm hearing of it. I've only been here for about two months now." Furthermore, concerning the eligibility of an individual with a disciplinary record to participate in the project, the official shifted responsibility to another department, saying it was "under the jurisdiction of the Facility Management Office."

The responsible official argued that the cancellation of a subsidy project must precede the cancellation of an occupancy permit. The official stated, "If the subsidy project for facility management is canceled first, then the occupancy permit should be canceled based on that cancellation. This is actually the first I'm hearing of it." Reporters criticized the official's stance of not being aware of previous reports and demanded an explanation for the lack of administrative action regarding the problematic project.

The host explained, "Although over 50 billion won of county funds were invested, its actual value is said to be over 100 billion won." The Goheung Peninsula acts as a natural breakwater, resulting in calm, lake-like waters with no large ships or aquaculture, making it an optimal location for yacht training.

The host said, "This also seems to be a facility of Boseong County. I know a huge amount of money was invested there, but when I visited, it wasn't being properly managed." Traces of neglect, such as rust on various facilities, were discovered.

The host said, "He thought, 'These people are non-experts, and since all operational and management responsibilities were practically entrusted to me, why should I share this with Kim Soon-seok?'" This suggests an intention to exclude the non-expert association president and take direct control of the business.

Allegations of a double contract regarding the operating rights for Bibong Marina's facility management have surfaced. The host stated, "Why is Boseong County now feigning ignorance and shifting responsibility to the Facility Management Corporation? They shouldn't have made a double contract in the first place." This points to Boseong County Office avoiding responsibility for the double contract issue by shifting blame to the Facility Management Corporation.

Controversy arose over unauthorized instructors teaching students at Bibong Marina. The host pointed out, "It's very irresponsible that Boseong County didn't know whether Director Kim had an instructor's license or not. And if they knew and condoned it, then it's a crime." This suggests that if Boseong County Office knew about and condoned the activities of an unauthorized person, it could constitute a crime.

The host stated, "According to the official, Mayor Kim Cheol-woo was reported all these issues. He couldn't not know." Despite these issues being acknowledged, the Bibong Marina contract is expected to be maintained until December of this year.

The possibility that widespread corruption in public service could be exposed through controversies related to Mayor Kim Cheol-woo has been raised. The host stated, "It makes me wonder if those who signed entrusted contracts with the county developed a complacent attitude, thinking, 'Our mayor does things like this too.'" Concerns about lax discipline in public service are growing as bribery allegations, including 500,000 won 'gratuitites,' spread.

Allegations of collusion between Honam regional leaders and investigative agencies have brought the issue of delayed investigations to light. The host stated, "Now it's blocked again at the prosecution. I think it needs to be fundamentally resolved. The evidence is clear, what more are we waiting for?" The case, sent to the prosecution after investigation by the Jeonnam Provincial Police Agency, is causing further suspicion due to delays in prosecution results.

The host said, "I heard there are some ignorant YouTubers who, instead of reporting with interest on eradicating the deep-rooted structural corruption in that region, end up obscuring the essence of the incident, as if someone innocent died, like the New Tamasa report." Mentioning the distortion of the essence of the Sinan County cooperative corruption case, the host emphasized the need for media and YouTuber reform to eradicate structural corruption.