Controversy over Governor Kim Young-hwan's Drinking Party During 'Osong Disaster' Memorial Period

[Financial News]  During the second anniversary memorial period of the Osong disaster, Governor Kim Young-hwan of Chungbuk is under controversy for having a drinking party with members of the Cheongju City Council.

According to Chungbuk Province on the 14th, Governor Kim had a dinner meeting with Cheongju City Council members at a restaurant in Cheongju around 6:30 PM on the 12th. It is known that Hyun-ki Kim, the chairman of the Cheongju City Council, and three city council members attended the meeting.

The controversy began when a photo was uploaded to a group chat on social media. The photo showed Governor Kim and three city council members raising their glasses towards the camera.

Governor Kim reportedly attended the meeting around 6:30 PM and drank for about an hour along with the meal. It was understood to be a meeting for cooperation on current issues between the province and the Cheongju City Council.

After the photo was made public, some criticized that having a drinking party during the Osong disaster memorial period was inappropriate.

Chungbuk Province declared the period from the 7th to the 15th of this month as the second anniversary memorial period of the Osong disaster. During this period, all provincial office employees were to wear memorial ribbons and observe a moment of silence at meetings or events, while refraining from drinking or entertainment gatherings.
Cheongju City also operates a memorial period.

Governor Kim explained that the meeting had been scheduled a month in advance and was a place to explain and seek cooperation on Chungbuk Province's current issues to the Cheongju City Council members. Governor Kim's side stated, "It was a cooperative meeting to explain the construction of a dome stadium and the Osong underground space to the city council members, and at their request, I had about 1-2 glasses of beer," adding, "I apologize for creating an inappropriate situation during the memorial period and causing concern to the residents."

The Osong Disaster Citizens' Countermeasure Committee issued a statement saying, "The bereaved families and survivors are still living in pain, demanding truth-finding and punishment of those responsible," and "Governor Kim, who trampled on his own declaration of a memorial week in just a few days, should publicly apologize to the bereaved families and citizens."

The Osong disaster occurred on July 15, 2023, at around 8:40 AM when the Gungpyeong 2 underpass in Osong-eup, Heungdeok-gu, Cheongju, was flooded due to the overflow of the nearby Miho River, resulting in 14 deaths and 16 injuries.

Lee Beom-seok, the mayor of Cheongju, is being tried without detention on charges of citizen disaster death under the Serious Accident Punishment Act, but Governor Kim was not indicted.

As the second anniversary of the disaster approaches, social discussions on a parliamentary investigation are becoming active, centered around the bereaved families and the National Assembly.


gaa1003@fnnews.com Reporter An Ga-eul