25.07.22.Today News :Guri Mayor 'Baek Kyung-hyun' Apologizes for Attending Picnic During Heavy Rain

Guri Mayor 'Baek Kyung-hyun' Apologizes for Attending Picnic During Heavy Rain

• Mayor attends picnic amid emergency response to heavy rain in Guri, later issues public apology

Public anger has erupted after it was revealed that Baek Kyung-hyun, mayor of Guri City, attended a local group’s summer picnic and was seen singing and dancing while the region was hit by torrential rain. Amid mounting criticism, Mayor Baek has issued a public apology.

Mayor Baek Kyung-hyun of Guri City has come under fire for dancing and singing at a local organization's picnic.

On the afternoon of July 20, Guri Mayor Baek Kyung-hyun attended a summer picnic hosted by a local volunteer group in Hongcheon, Gangwon Province. The incident sparked controversy as the northern Gyeonggi region, including Guri, was under emergency alert due to heavy rainfall that caused significant damage and even casualties in nearby areas such as Gapyeong and Pocheon.

That day, a flood warning was in effect for Guri from early morning until 11:20 a.m., and several rivers overflowed, leading to the collapse of a bridge and flooding in four river roads. While emergency response efforts were in full swing to ensure public safety, the mayor’s participation in an out-of-town gathering—where he was filmed dancing and singing—drew strong criticism from the public.

The footage showed Mayor Baek in a shirt and tie, performing on stage while surrounded by banners reading “Summer Picnic” and tables with alcoholic beverages.

In response to the backlash, Mayor Baek initially stated that he had only attended the event for about 20 minutes at the request of the organizing group and did not consume alcohol. However, the public outcry did not subside, prompting him to issue a formal statement on July 22.

“I sincerely apologize for attending an out-of-town picnic while the city was on emergency alert due to unprecedented rainfall,” Baek said in his statement. “I fully acknowledge my misjudgment and accept any criticism with a heavy heart.”

Baek, a member of the People Power Party, was first elected mayor of Guri in a 2016 by-election and was re-elected in 2022, currently serving his second term.

One-line summary : Guri Mayor Baek Kyung-hyun sparked controversy by attending a picnic during emergency flood operations and later issued a public apology.