'Controversial Remarks' Kim Woo-nam, Korea Racing Authority Chairman, Reported to Police... Sajunmo Claims "Attempted Coercion Crime Applies"

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] Kim Woo-nam, chairman of the Korea Racing Authority, who caused controversy by using abusive language and harsh words toward an employee who opposed the hiring of his close aide, has been reported to the police.

The Association of Judicial Exam Preparers announced on the 15th that it submitted a complaint requesting punishment of Chairman Kim for attempted coercion to the National Police Agency's National Investigation Headquarters through the National Petition Office.

In the complaint, the Association stated, "Chairman Kim repeatedly made threatening remarks to person A, the official in charge, in an attempt to specially hire his former aide as a secretary when he was a member of the National Assembly," adding, "From the victim's perspective as a subordinate employee, there would have been a fear of personnel disadvantages, which constitutes the element of threat required for the crime of coercion."

They further explained the purpose of the complaint, saying, "Coercion is neither a crime requiring a complaint by the victim nor a crime that can be forgiven by the victim, so it is punishable even if reported by a third party."

Shortly after assuming the chairmanship of the Korea Racing Authority in March, Chairman Kim instructed that his former aide from his time as a lawmaker be specially hired as the chief secretary. However, person A opposed this, citing concerns about potential hiring irregularities based on internal personnel regulations, the improvement recommendations from the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission, and the negative response from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, the higher authority overseeing the Korea Racing Authority. The controversy escalated when it became known that Chairman Kim used abusive language and harsh words toward person A.