Your Honor,

I am Jeong Myung-hoon, conductor of the Paris radio philharmonic orchestra and lead conductor of the Rome philharmonic orchestra. I am writing to you concerning Suwon Mayor Sim Jae-duk. The fact that the mayor has been taken into custody for bribery is a tremendous shock to all those who know him. I wish to tell you the man I know, and hope it helps you make a wise decision.

The Mayor Sim I know is

first, a clean man, who always sticks to what is just and moral. While I was in the midst of a legal battle in 1996 after I was unjustly fired, Mayor Sim led a petition arguing the unfair nature of my suspension and submitted it to the court. He also willingly offered 10 million won so that I could fight my legal battle. Thanks to his support, I was able to win the case. Mr. Sim is a man that boldly challenges injustice and struggles to put right what is wrong.

second, a man who views transparency and public service as the fundamentals of administration and spearheads anti-corruption efforts within the Suwon city administrative process. On my visits to Suwon, many people applauded his great public achievements.

third, a man who has put great efforts into advancing Suwon into an international center of culture and art. For example, Suwon now holds on annual international concert where world famous musicians take part in. The Mayor also goes out of his way to enhance culture and education and preserve the environment.

fourth, a man, who I feel every time I meet him, is extremely sincere and true and truthful to his family. He evokes a feeling of respect.

During the past 30 years or so, I have had numerous opportunities to meet with leaders within the political and cultural arena. However, rarely have I met a person like Mayor Sim, who does not make any concession for the interests of citizens.

Looking on this tragic event, where a great man has become wrongfully linked to a crime, I feel the anger and unfairness that General Lee Soon-Shin of the Chosun Dynasty must have felt. I feel great remorse think that social justice and principles have become so undermined that innocent people are framed and those close by become traitors. Such a situation shows that our society is faced with despair. However, I know through my experience that justice and discipline do exist. I believe they are the pillars that enable us to make the right decisions and that they maintain and advance our society. I will not hesitate to give my assistance wherever, whenever. It is our duty to help such people.

It is my hope that my letter helps you to make the wise decision and give a fair ruling in favor of Mayor Shim, so that the innocent man will be free of the wrongfully made accusations as soon as possible.