Gyeongnam Province: "No Specific Individuals Considered for Agency Head Appointments" ... Directly Addresses Appointment Controversy

"Gyeongnam Province does not pre-select or keep specific individuals in mind in the process of recruiting and screening candidates for heads of investment and foundation institutions under the provincial government."

Amid ongoing controversy over so-called "favor appointments" and "revolving door appointments" concerning recent selections of heads of investment and foundation institutions under its jurisdiction, Gyeongnam Province emphasized these principles while announcing its policies regarding such appointments.

On September 16, at the provincial government press center, Yoo Hae-nam, spokesperson of Gyeongnam Province, announced the selection policy for the heads of investment and foundation institutions, stating, "Gyeongnam Province regards fairness and objectivity as the most important principles in appointing heads of investment and foundation institutions."

He explained, "The head of an investment or foundation institution is responsible for the management of the institution and for delivering public services that directly impact the lives of the residents. Therefore, in addition to expertise and management skills, candidates must also comprehensively possess public-mindedness, accountability, morality, and the capability to resolve pressing issues facing the institution."

He made it clear once more that the province does not pre-designate specific individuals or take them into consideration during recruitment or the screening process.

Yoo Hee-nam, spokesperson for Gyeongnam Province, is announcing the principles for appointing heads of invested and endowed institutions under the province.
[Photo by Gyeongnam Province]

This briefing was held in response to the Gyeongnam Provincial Assembly's Economic and Environment Committee adopting a report the previous day, declaring the candidate for chairman of the Gyeongnam Credit Guarantee Foundation, Lee Hyogeun, to be unsuitable following a confirmation hearing.

The Assembly pointed out that Lee had worked as chairman of the Gyeongnam Credit Guarantee Foundation, an institution funded by Gyeongnam Province, from January 2023 to June 30 of this year and had then again been selected as a candidate for chairman through an open process. The Assembly thus raised suspicions of so-called "favor appointments" and "revolving door appointments," and deemed the appointment inappropriate.

Regarding this recent unsuitability determination from the confirmation hearing, Gyeongnam Province stated that it respects the Assembly's decision.

Consequently, it is expected that a new selection process will be conducted to appoint a chairman for the Gyeongnam Credit Guarantee Foundation.

Spokesperson Yoo repeatedly emphasized, "It is the firm principle of Gyeongnam Province to identify talents through open recruitment, to assess candidates objectively based on established procedures and criteria, and to appoint the most suitable person to each institution."

He added, "We make our decisions based on expertise, management capability, public-mindedness, morality, and the ability to solve pressing issues, not political considerations or personal relationships. These principles will be strictly enforced in all future recruitments for heads of investment and foundation institutions."

He continued, "We hope that talented individuals with the necessary skills and experience to successfully lead investment and foundation institutions will actively apply. We also encourage members of the regional community, business world, academia, and expert groups to recommend suitable candidates who fit the character and role of each institution."

However, he clarified, "Whether or why someone was recommended cannot become a criterion for evaluation. What matters is not who recommended the candidate, but whether the individual possesses the ability and sense of responsibility to properly lead the institution."

Spokesperson Yoo stated, "We will operate the recruitment process with greater transparency, rigorously verifying candidates' expertise, leadership skills, understanding of institutional issues, and problem-solving abilities. If necessary, we will review and supplement any shortcomings identified in previous recruitment and vetting procedures as well. We will steadfastly maintain personnel principles to ensure that capable individuals can compete fairly and that the most qualified person leads the institution responsibly."

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