200 Hong Kong Civil Servants Refuse Loyalty Oath...Mass Dismissals Possible

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] As the Hong Kong government has made loyalty pledges mandatory for 180,000 civil servants, it has been revealed that about 200 have expressed refusal.

According to the South China Morning Post (SCMP) on the 9th, Patrick Nip, Hong Kong Secretary for the Civil Service, stated the day before, "From October last year to last month, about 200 civil servants refused to take the loyalty pledge."

The loyalty pledge consists of compliance with the Basic Law, loyalty to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, fulfilling responsibilities to the government, and dedication to duties.

The Hong Kong government plans to dismiss civil servants who refuse the loyalty pledge. Secretary Nip said, "(Those who refuse the pledge) must leave public office," adding, "We are currently investigating the reasons why they refused the pledge."

In an interview with HK01, he stated, "If civil servants cannot accept the loyalty pledge, it would not be a bad thing for them to leave the government."

The Hong Kong government made the loyalty pledge mandatory for civil servants after the implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law (Hong Kong Security Law) on June 30 last year.

So far, high-ranking government officials such as the Chief Executive, the judiciary, and members of the Legislative Council, Hong Kong's parliament, have taken the loyalty pledge. On the 23rd of last month, a legislative amendment was announced to disqualify public officials who violate the loyalty pledge.

The scope of the loyalty pledge was expanded to include district council members as well. Lo Kin-hei, chairman of the Democratic Party, Hong Kong's main opposition party and a district council member, expressed concern in an interview with domestic media on the 1st, saying, "The Hong Kong government may not only disqualify individuals but also prosecute them for perjury, which constitutes a criminal offense."