Yeosu Mayor Seo Young-hak apologized for sending an official notice that identified taxi drivers as the source of rumors about the 2026 Yeosu World Island Expo.
"An administration that should listen to voices on the ground and communicate instead sent a notice that damaged your honor and hurt your feelings," Seo said in a Facebook post on the afternoon of the 24th.
"It was complacent administrative handling that failed to sufficiently verify the facts and failed to consider the position of those on the ground," he said. "I will not treat this as a simple mistake." He added that he would examine whether there were problems with existing administrative procedures and the reporting and approval system, and correct them.
The city will also strengthen prior review of notices sent to residents. Seo said he would establish institutional safeguards to review the accuracy of facts, the appropriateness of wording and the need for prior reporting before sending notices that affect citizens' rights or honor or that could spark public controversy.
"I bow my head once again and deeply apologize for hurting the pride and honor of taxi drivers who serve as the feet of our citizens and travel throughout the city," Seo said. "I will not stop at an apology but will show change."
Yeosu had earlier sent local taxi companies a notice stating that there was public talk of taxi drivers spreading rumors, including claims that preparations for the island expo were inadequate. The notice also said the city judged that drivers' complaints about falling revenue had led to the spread of rumors.
The island expo, which opened on the 5th of this month, had drawn a cumulative 199,358 visitors as of the 21st, or 6.6% of its target of 3 million. The taxi industry pushed back after the notice, which appeared to identify drivers as the source of rumors, became known.
