Ulsan Mayor Kim Sang-uk. [Yonhap]
Ulsan Mayor Kim Sang-uk. [Yonhap]

Ulsan Mayor Kim Sang-uk has strongly denied allegations about his private life and alleged involvement in prostitution, demanding that the politicians who raised the accusations retire from public life if police clear him of wrongdoing.

Kim posted a message Saturday on his Facebook page and YouTube channel "Kim Sang-uk TV," saying that if police find no grounds for the allegations — including those related to prostitution — "the irresponsible and cowardly individuals who raised the allegations and spread false propaganda must take responsibility by immediately retiring from politics and resigning their seats."

He added that certain media outlets that "eagerly amplified and reproduced" the allegations, causing confusion and harm to residents, must "issue a formal public apology immediately."

Kim said the smear campaign had begun during the last election with "absurd" rumors — including claims that he had been living with a Russian woman and had an affair with a yogurt delivery woman — and had now escalated to allegations of prostitution in the Philippines. He said the Philippines trip had taken place three to four years ago when he was working as a lawyer and had traveled there to meet with local industry contacts as part of efforts to expand immigration-related legal work.

He went on to say: "Pigs love mud. When a human fights a pig in the mud, only the pig benefits. So to preserve human dignity, I have been saying, 'Roll around in the mud by yourself, pig' — but it seems things have gone too far." He said the allegations were dragging residents into a wasteful dispute, undermining the momentum of important city administration and ultimately harming the public.

After repeating his demands for political retirement and a formal apology from those behind the allegations, Kim added that "if these demands are not accepted, the people must deliver political judgment through their own power," saying "the true victims are the people of the Republic of Korea."

Meanwhile, Kim is under investigation by police on charges including violations of the Public Official Election Act stemming from the June 3 local elections.

He has also been reported to police over allegations of overseas gambling and prostitution raised during the election period.


yeonjoo7@heraldcorp.com