Newly elected officials report average assets of 1.35 bln won

On September 28, the Government Ethics Committee released data showing that officials newly elected in June's local elections possessed an average of 1.35 billion won in assets, equivalent to approximately US$996,500. The committee examined the personal finances of 1,259 individuals, encompassing 563 local governors, mayors, councilors, and education chiefs who were elected during the June elections.

Additionally, the report included 586 individuals who had retired from elected offices and 110 appointed public officials. The newly elected officials' average assets of 1.35 billion won per person were disclosed.

The heads of large local governments, on average, reported 1.99 billion won in assets, while the heads of small local governments declared an average wealth of 1.69 billion won. Among the heads of small local governments, Choi Gi-young, the Mayor of Bonghwa County, stood out with the highest assets, totaling 34.9 billion won. Meanwhile, Yoon Yu-jin, a member of the Seoul Metropolitan Council, emerged as the wealthiest among newly elected members of large local councils, with a reported wealth of 15.64 billion won.