Prime Minister Kim Bu-gyeom Apologizes for Unseemly Incidents in Public Service... Prime Minister's Office to Conduct Direct Investigation

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyungsoo] Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum apologized, saying, "Recently, unfortunate incidents have occurred in the public service," and "I am sorry as the Prime Minister that such incidents have happened at a time when the entire nation is united in efforts to overcome the COVID-19 crisis."

At the 'COVID-19 Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters Meeting' held at the Government Seoul Office on the 20th, Prime Minister Kim urged, "All ministries and public institutions should remain vigilant to ensure that such incidents never happen again."

Although Prime Minister Kim did not specify a particular incident, it appears he had in mind the internal investigation concerning a director-level executive at the Fair Trade Commission.

Prime Minister Kim emphasized, "Public officials are servants of the people," adding, "There must be no lapses, and there should be no blemish on the sense of mission as warriors overcoming the crisis."

He continued, "I will not specify individual institutions," and stressed, "The Prime Minister's Office plans to directly investigate the incident as part of establishing public service discipline and will request the relevant ministries to take strict measures based on the results."

Prime Minister Kim stated, "July, when new social distancing measures are applied and vaccine administration expands, is a critical turning point in the journey to overcome the COVID-19 crisis," and urged, "Public officials should also devote themselves to regaining the trust of the people."