Kwak Sangwook, Osan Mayor, Must Address Position on 'Baekbal Club' Allegations

At an extraordinary session of the Osan City Council held on the 21st, City Council Member Kim Myeong-chul (Saenuri Party) urged Osan Mayor Kwak Sangwook through his five-minute speech to take a position on suspicions of misconduct including the 'Baekbal Club.'

Council Member Kim stated, "Mayor Kwak must not remain silent on the successive allegations of electoral abuse involving executives of city subsidiary organizations and the illegal pre-election activities of the 'Baekbal Club,' but must come forward confidently before citizens and make his position clear."

He continued, "Mayor Kwak must demonstrate stern punishment for the successive mistakes of his associates, and the secretaries-general of city subsidiary organizations involved in various incidents should resign. I urge them not to abuse the authority that citizens have entrusted them with for their hard work."

Meanwhile, on the 18th, prosecutors indicted three individuals including Shim Mo (45), linked to the 'Baekbal Club' known as a close associates' organization of Osan Mayor Kwak Sangwook, on charges of involvement in the June 4 local elections. Police also transferred three 'Baekbal Club' members, including Lee Mo (58), secretary-general of the Osan Association of Cultural Organizations, for additional custody, and investigations are ongoing.

The 'Baekbal Club' got its name from the fact that some members, including Mayor Kwak, have white hair, and it is known that approximately 20 executives from city government and city subsidiary organizations are participating.