The Ethics Special Committee regarding Council Member Heo Jeong-mi, who is embroiled in controversy over allegations of inappropriate hiring and tax salary payments involving her ex-spouse, will be held tomorrow (20th) at 10 AM.
Previously, eight Bupyeong District Council members, including Jeong Han-sol, submitted a request for disciplinary action against Council Member Heo on the 6th. Chairperson Ahn Ae-gyeong reported this to the plenary session and officially referred it to the Ethics Special Committee, leading to the commencement of a thorough disciplinary review and fact-finding starting tomorrow.
According to a report by the investigative media Newsada, Heo's ex-spouse, Mr. A, received a total of 17.01 million won in tax salary through the Bupyeong District traditional market manager support project from May to November 2025.
The issue lies in the fact that Council Member Heo was serving as the chairperson of the Urban Environment Committee, which directly reviews the plans and budgets for the project. The current 'Conflict of Interest Prevention Act' stipulates that public officials must report and avoid situations where they recognize personal interests, but Council Member Heo is under suspicion of failing to comply with this requirement.
Additional allegations have also emerged. According to Newsada's investigation, Mr. A recorded the lowest score among 41 candidates in the practical test during the hiring of temporary workers at the Bupyeong District Facility Management Corporation last year, yet received an unusually high score in the interview and was ultimately hired. Given that the Facility Management Corporation is an agency under the jurisdiction of Council Member Heo's standing committee, whether there was external pressure or solicitation during the hiring process has become a key issue.
In addition, Council Member Heo is also facing allegations of 'improper use of business promotion expenses' after using a total of 2.43 million won in business promotion expenses at the restaurant of the merchants' association where Mr. A worked as a manager. Notably, it has come to light that even after Mr. A was hired as the traditional market manager, he maintained his title as the head of Council Member Heo's personal business and shared an office, indicating that they were effectively operating as an 'economic community', which has sparked public outrage.
However, it remains uncertain whether the disciplinary review by the Ethics Special Committee will specifically include the allegations regarding the traditional market manager's salary, the hiring process at the corporation, and the business promotion expenses.
So far, Council Member Heo has warned of strong legal action, including lawsuits, against her colleagues' allegations, calling them "defamation." However, civic groups and residents are urging severe disciplinary action, stating, "If the allegations that she supported her ex-spouse's livelihood with taxpayers' money are true, this disqualifies her as a public official."
As the Bupyeong District Council Ethics Special Committee begins its formal review by hearing Council Member Heo's explanation tomorrow, it remains uncertain whether a conclusion will be reached in a single meeting or if multiple meetings will follow. However, attention from the local community is expected to focus on the level of disciplinary action against Council Member Heo.
The Bupyeong District Council Ethics Special Committee consists of Chairperson Jeong Ye-ji, Vice Chairperson Yeo Myeong-ja, and members Yoo Jeong-ok, Lee Ik-seong, Kim Dong-min, Park Young-hoon, Jeong Yu-jeong, and Yoon Gu-young.
Below is the article link from the investigative media Newsada.
Council Member Heo Jeong-mi Receives Salary from Ex-Spouse's Tax
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