Andong: An association of overseas Korean business leaders has ignited controversy by planning a large-scale gathering in a southeastern city recently devastated by the nation's most severe wildfire.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the World Federation of Overseas Korean Traders Association (World-OKTA) intends to hold its 26th leaders' convention and export consultations at the Andong International Convention Center in Andong, North Gyeongsang Province, from April 28 to May 1. Andong, located 250 kilometers southeast of Seoul, suffered a major forest fire for nine days in late March, displacing thousands of residents.
There was an expectation that the event would be postponed or relocated, but World-OKTA has decided to proceed with the original plan. Further controversy arises as critics suggest that World-OKTA may have breached election law by receiving 400 million won (approximately US$281,700) in subsidies from local governments prior to the early presidential election scheduled for June 3. The association reportedly received 150 million won from the North Gyeongsang provincial government and 250 million won from the Andong city government. Current election laws prohibit organizing or sponsoring festivals and public events within 60 days of the election day.
Critics question the success of the World-OKTA event, considering that many homes were destroyed or damaged by the wildfires. Displaced residents have temporarily relocated to motels and other accommodations after staying in shelters like the Andong Gymnasium, which is near the conference venue. World-OKTA considered postponing the event due to the wildfire damage but decided against it, taking into account the travel schedules of overseas Koreans.
World-OKTA has addressed the criticism by stating that it will run 256 export consultation booths for 240 domestic companies during the conference and gather donations for those displaced. Additionally, it has come to light that Park Jong-bum, chairman of World-OKTA, recently attempted to unilaterally change the association's name, sparking internal controversy. Park mentioned in a media interview on April 11 that he would pursue a name change for the association but later apologized for his remarks.