Controversy over Appropriateness of Assigning Positions to Seocheon Officials Under Investigation

Governor Yoo: "Follow-up Actions to Be Taken Upon Results of Investigation"
Concerns Raised Over Potential Administrative Vacancies and Inconvenience for Residents if Indicted

Yoo Seung-kwang, mayor of Seocheon County, held a press briefing regarding the first regular personnel appointments of the 9th term and stated, "The focus was on innovation in the public service sector and restoring the trust of county residents."

Although Yoo Seung-kwang, Governor of Seocheon County in South Chungcheong Province, emphasized that "the focus was on innovation within the public service and restoring the trust of county residents" regarding the first regular personnel changes of the 9th elected administration, controversy has arisen within the local community over the appointment of civil servants under investigation for alleged public official election interference as administrative heads of township areas ahead of the June 3rd local elections.

At a press briefing on the regular personnel changes held at the External Cooperation Office of Seocheon County Office on the 15th, Governor Yoo stated, "Fair appointments are the starting point of county government innovation," adding, "We thoroughly excluded external influence on personnel affairs, such as requests through third parties, political circles, or influential figures, and carried out personnel appointments solely based on principles, standards, and abilities."

He also presented his vision for administrative restructuring under the 9th elected administration, proposing the creation of a Strategy Planning Office and the operation of county administration under a system consisting of one office and three bureaus.

Regarding civil servants who had been on standby due to allegations of "official-led election interference," Governor Yoo explained, "Although they were placed on standby as of the 1st, from the perspective of unity and harmony within county administration, I judged it appropriate to assign them positions."

However, he left open the possibility of further personnel actions depending on the results of the judicial investigation into these civil servants.

Governor Yoo stated, "When the results of the judiciary's investigation are released, we will take follow-up action in accordance with relevant laws and procedures."

Previously, on May 28, the South Chungcheong National Election Commission filed a complaint with the prosecution against two Seocheon County officials, Mr. A (grade 5) and Mr. B (grade 6), on suspicion of violating the Public Official Election Act by planning and arranging an event where policy inquiries and answers were delivered by a non-regular workers' union for Kim Kiwoong, then the People Power Party candidate for Seocheon County governor.

In this context, there is growing concern within the local community about appointing civil servants under investigation for these charges as township and deputy township heads, who are frontline administrative managers.

There are also concerns that, depending on the prosecution's future decisions, any additional personnel changes could lead to administrative vacancies and inconvenience for residents.

Regarding organizational restructuring, Governor Yoo said, "We are considering establishing a Strategy Planning Office to remove barriers between departments and strengthen collaboration," adding, "Directors will be tasked to actively engage with the central government, the National Assembly, and South Chungcheong Province to draw up a bigger picture for Seocheon's development."

He continued, "During the organizational restructuring process scheduled for October to November, employees who prove their abilities will be given active opportunities for promotion," emphasizing, "It was a promise to change the standards for personnel appointments, not to simply replace people."

Meanwhile, through this round of regular personnel changes, Seocheon County promoted two grade 4 directors and four grade 5 managers.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.