Mayor Baek Gyeong-hyun of Guri is facing controversy for attending a picnic during heavy rain. At the same time, Guri city officials were on emergency duty to prepare for flood damage due to heavy rain falling in northern Gyeonggi Province.
On the 21st, SBS reported that Mayor Baek attended a picnic held the day before at a restaurant in Hongcheon, Gangwon Province, where he was seen dancing. Baek took the microphone and walked forward to sing and dance along with the crowd. A banner reading 'Summer picnic' was displayed at the scene. There were also visible bottles of alcohol on the tables.
When Mayor Baek arrived at the picnic, it was not raining in Guri, but rain that fell in nearby Gapyeong had flowed down, creating a situation where officials were on emergency duty. The water level of the Wangsil Stream in Guri rose, flooding walking paths and bike lanes along the water.
From early morning on the 20th until 11:20 a.m., a flood warning had been issued across Guri. Flooding of rivers led to the collapse of bridges and the flooding of four low-water roads. Mayor Baek sent a text message to citizens at 9:30 a.m. that day, requesting them to report flood damage to the disaster management office.
At that time, employees from the Guri City Hall safety management division, road division, and green space division continued emergency work to prepare for floods from early morning until 2:30 p.m. However, Mayor Baek left Guri at 12:20 p.m., around the time when emergency work was in full swing, and arrived at the picnic site in Hongcheon around 1:30 p.m.
Mayor Baek told SBS, "I attended the picnic for about 20 minutes at the request of Guri citizens," adding, "I did not drink alcohol." He further stated, "I left for Hongcheon after checking the damage situation at the Guri disaster management office at 11 a.m. yesterday (the 20th), but I apologize for causing concern to the citizens of Guri by not being more prudent."
As the controversy escalated, Mayor Baek issued a statement on the 22nd, saying, "Given the unprecedented heavy rain in northern Gyeonggi Province and the significant anxiety among citizens, I sincerely apologize for my hasty decision to attend the off-site picnic organized by regional groups. I have caused great disappointment and anger to the citizens who were in anxiety and fear, as well as to the officials who are working hard to respond to the disaster. This is entirely my fault, and I will accept any criticism with a heavy heart."
Mayor Baek was elected in the 2016 by-election. He was re-elected in 2022 and is currently serving his second term as mayor of Guri.