A coalition of 50 civic groups has "filed complaints with the prosecution against five people," including Gangwon Province Governor Choi Moon-soon, "demanding an investigation into the preparations" for the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics, according to Kim Se-jeong of the KOREA TIMES. In a petition, the coalition "claimed the five people abused their authority or neglected their duties in preparing for the Olympics, thus wasting taxpayers' money and damaging the environment." The other four are former Governor and former Head of the PyeongChang organizing committee Kim Jin-sun, Saenuri Party lawmaker Yeom Dong-yeol, New Politics Alliance for Democracy Party lawmaker Park Joo-sun and IOC member and Saenuri Party lawmaker Moon Dae-sung. Incumbent Governor Choi has been "criticized for cancelling the original plan for the opening and closing ceremonies venue without proper authorization." His decision ultimately cost almost 60B won ($55.5M) more. Choi is also "accused of destroying Mount Gariwang, where a ski slope will be built for the Games." The mountain is "home to a forest that is at least 500 years old." It is on the list of national natural recreational forests. More than 50,000 trees "have been cut down so far, according to reports." The former Governor Kim is also "being targeted" for causing the regional government to fall 919B won ($850M) into debt due to the "construction of the Alpensia Resort" (KOREA TIMES, 5/5).
