[Comprehensive] Ryu Ho-jeong's 'Unfair Dismissal of Secretary' Allegations Escalate... Opposition: "An Unheard-of New Type of Kkondae"

Yeo Staff Council "Former Secretary Was a Mother of Three"
"Such Work Assignments Should Not Have Been Made in the First Place"

Ryu Ho-jeong, a member of the Justice Party, is attending the National Assembly plenary session on the 1st. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] The allegation of 'unfair dismissal of a secretary' involving Ryu Hojung, a Justice Party lawmaker, has sparked a heated debate in the political arena. The People Power Party Staff Council (Gukbohyeop) strongly criticized Ryu, calling her an "unheard-of old-fashioned authoritarian," and demanded her resignation, while Ryu's side rebutted, stating that "there was no problem in the (secretary's) hiring process."

On the 5th, Je Banghun, the chief spokesperson of Gukbohyeop, targeted Ryu in a statement, saying, "The duties of an executive secretary, which inevitably involve irregular working hours, are not suitable to be assigned to a mother raising three children," and added, "Such a work assignment should not have been made in the first place."

He further criticized Ryu, calling her "a new kind of old-fashioned authoritarian never heard of in the National Assembly," and said, "Even the phrase 'too horrible to look at' is too mild."

He also pointed out, "It is a serious self-denial for Ryu, who is a former dismissed worker herself, to claim that the reason for dismissal lies with the worker, which is a typical employer stance she has fought against," and criticized, "Ryu's perception of staff as disposable items that can be replaced at any time has sounded an alarm in the National Assembly."

Je, the spokesperson, urged Ryu to resign, saying, "The public says that what Ryu needs are reflection and resignation."

On the other hand, Ryu's side rebutted on the same day, stating, "During the hiring process, we obtained the secretary's consent that she could perform the duties of an executive secretary," and "There was no problem in the hiring process."

Ryu Ho-jeong, a Justice Party lawmaker, urged labor-management dialogue to resolve the dispatch issue at Hyundai Wia at the National Assembly Communication Office on the 22nd of last month. / Photo by Yonhap News

Meanwhile, the controversy over the 'unfair dismissal of a secretary' arose on the 29th of last month when Shin, a Justice Party member, claimed on Facebook that "Ryu dismissed a former executive secretary without observing the usual notice period for dismissal, notifying her only seven days in advance," and accused her of violating labor laws.

At that time, Ryu responded by saying, "There was a procedural mistake in the process of notifying the dismissal," but added, "It was a process of reaching an agreement with the person involved, and the misunderstanding has been resolved."

However, despite this explanation, the controversy did not subside. On the 4th, Ryu issued a statement saying, "I am sorry that I could not stand with the former secretary, who was a party member, until the end. I repeatedly apologized with a responsible attitude for the misunderstandings and emotions, but it was not accepted," and added, "I will willingly respond to the political dispute aimed at gaining the title of a dismissed worker."

She continued, "I do not think this situation was brought about by the former secretary alone," and emphasized, "I will not be manipulated by cowardly schemes that exploit the weaknesses of a politically vulnerable person for personal gain."

She also said she would file a complaint with the Justice Party's Disciplinary Committee against Shin, who first raised the controversy, stating, "In particular, Shin seriously damaged the reputation of the party and myself, and induced public ridicule, causing great harm to party supporters."

In response, Ryu's former secretary, A, posted on her Facebook, rebutting, "I do not understand why the frame of a dismissed worker, which I never even thought of, is being brought up."

She added, "I am now speaking about workers' rights and human rights," and criticized, "The Justice Party, having experienced the case of former leader Kim Jongcheol, advocated 'victim-centeredness,' but is there victim-centeredness in this case where community, labor, and human rights have been trampled upon?"