Five years in prison for former Busan Mayor Oh Geo-don of ‘Busan Blacklist’

In 2018, the prosecution sought five years in prison for former Mayor Oh Geo-don in relation to the so-called ‘Busan Blacklist’ case, which was suspected of pressuring public institution executives and employees to submit letters of resignation at the beginning of his inauguration.

On the morning of the 6th, the prosecution requested a five-year prison term for Mayor Oh in a decision trial against Mayor Oh and others held at the hearing of the 6th Criminal Division of the Busan District Court (Chief Judge Kim Tae-eop).

Former special adviser Park and former foreign cooperation adviser Mo Shin, who were also indicted together, sought two years in prison and one year and six months in prison, respectively.

Prosecutors said, “The defendants unilaterally pressured the executives and employees of public institutions to submit a resignation letter even though they expressed their intention to refuse, so they were forced to submit a resignation letter, which constitutes the crime of abuse of authority and obstruction of the exercise of rights.” It is argued that conspiracy is recognized by using the approval, order, and reporting system through the system.”

He continued, “Leaning on the imperial status of the mayor of Busan, we harmed the appropriateness and fairness of the appointment and dismissal of executives and employees in public institutions.” said.

He also mentioned that the so-called ‘Ministry of Environment blacklist’ case, in which the former Minister of Environment was sentenced to prison by the Supreme Court last year, is the same issue as this trial.

In response, Mayor Oh’s side insisted on innocence, saying that it did not amount to abuse of power and that there was no collusion between the accused.

Mayor Oh said, “It seems that the things I did to lead the city administration unintentionally caused controversy. Everything is my negligence,” he said. “If there is something wrong, hold me accountable. I am sincerely sorry,” he said.

Former aides Park and Shin acknowledged the charges, but insisted that the political affairs line did not unilaterally intervene in the personnel affairs. Former aide Park’s side said, “Oh, I’ve never done personnel work without the mayor’s instructions.”

According to the prosecution’s indictment, the defendants, including Mayor Oh, are accused of resigning after receiving resignations from nine executives and employees of six public institutions under Busan City from August 2018 to January of the following year (abuse of authority, obstruction of exercise of rights).

On August 8 of last year, starting with former administrative mayor Lee Byung-jin, witness interrogations were conducted by executives and employees of public institutions related to personnel appointments such as BEXCO, Busan Facilities Corporation, and Busan Technopark.

Some of them even testified in court that they felt burdened to refuse to resign even though Oh’s term of office was about to expire, as he acted like an “occupant” after being elected.

This case, called the ‘Busan version blacklist’, became known in April 2019 when the Free Korea Party (predecessor of the People’s Power) Busan City Party accused high-ranking city officials of abuse of power and obstruction of the exercise of rights in connection with the resignation letter.

In November 2021, two years and seven months after the complaint, the prosecution conducted a search and seizure of Busan City Hall and public institutions. Prosecutors prosecuted, saying that through search and seizure, it was confirmed that key figures such as Mayor Oh had forcibly resigned executives and employees of public institutions after winning the 2018 local elections.

City officials accused together were not handed over to trial as the prosecution judged that it was difficult to see them as accomplices as they carried out their duties according to the defendants’ coercive instructions.

The trial and sentencing will be held at Court No. 351 of the Busan District Court at 11:00 am on the 17th.

Former Mayor Oh was sentenced to three years in prison in June 2021 for forcibly molesting a subordinate and is serving a sentence.

(Busan = News 1)