Competition for 'Talent Recruitment' Ahead of Presidential Election... Inadequate Verification Revealed One After Another
If Problems Arise, 'Resignation'... Candidates Remain 'Silent' and 'Avert Attention'
Experts Say "Accepting Close Associates' Recommendations Without Much Thought Is a Problem"
Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate (left), and Yoon Seok-youl, the People Power Party presidential candidate. Photo by National Assembly Press Photographers Group [Image source=Yonhap News]
[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] Ahead of next year's presidential election, fierce competition for talent recruitment between the ruling and opposition parties has sparked controversy over inadequate background checks as some individuals' inappropriate past actions have come to light.
Criticism is also mounting that presidential candidates responsible for appointments are sweeping the issue under the rug without offering proper apologies or measures to prevent recurrence. Experts point out that both parties are hastily recruiting talent, focusing only on their public image.
On the 5th, the People Power Party appointed dermatologist Ham Ik-byeong as co-chairman of the election campaign committee but withdrew the appointment about seven hours later after it was revealed that Ham had made misogynistic remarks in a 2014 interview with Monthly Chosun, such as "Women do not have the duty of national defense, so they should exercise only three-quarters of the rights."
Ham also made statements seemingly defending dictatorship, saying, "Why is dictatorship wrong? If it leads to better living, monarchy is acceptable," and "Park Chung-hee's dictatorship played a major role in South Korea's development."
The People Power Party has faced issues with campaign appointments before. Earlier, presidential candidate Yoon Seok-yeol appointed former lawmaker Kim Seong-tae as head of the occupational division on the 25th of last month, but Kim resigned after it was revealed that his daughter was on trial for alleged preferential hiring at KT.
Recently, No Jae-seung, CEO of Blackwater Port, who was recruited as a co-chairman of the People Power Party's campaign committee, has also been embroiled in controversy over inadequate background checks after past social media posts surfaced that appeared to belittle the May 18 Gwangju Democratization Movement and advocated problematic views such as abolishing regular employment.
No Jae-seung, co-chairman of the People Power Party's joint election campaign committee, embroiled in controversy over derogatory remarks about the '5·18 Gwangju Democratization Movement.' The photo shows No delivering a speech during the Seoul mayoral by-election last April. Photo by YouTube 'Oh Se-hoon TV' capture.
The Democratic Party has faced similar issues. Previously, Choi Bae-geun, a professor at Konkuk University who served as co-chairman of the Democratic Party's basic social committee, posted a Facebook comparison of photos of Jo Dong-yeon, a professor at Seokyeong University and former co-chairman of the campaign committee, and Lee Soo-jung, a professor at Kyonggi University who joined the People Power Party's campaign committee, sparking controversy.
On the 6th, Professor Choi announced his resignation, stating, "I decline any speculation regarding my resignation as chairman. I want to focus on what I have always considered most important." However, some speculate that he resigned due to public backlash over the 'appearance comparison' controversy. Professor Jo, the Democratic Party's 'first recruited talent,' also voluntarily resigned three days after appointment on the 3rd amid controversy over an extramarital child issue.
The problem is that neither party has shown proper apologies or responsible attitudes regarding the inadequate background check controversies. Candidate Yoon said about Ham's misogynistic remarks, "I did not thoroughly check the statements," adding, "The appointment has not been finalized yet."
Regarding former lawmaker Kim's voluntary resignation amid allegations of preferential hiring for his daughter, Yoon admitted, "Since the election organization is short-term, I did not pay much attention," effectively acknowledging insufficient verification. As for No's past remarks, two days have passed since the controversy first arose on the 6th, but silence remains.
Professor Choi Bae-geun of Konkuk University, who resigned from the position of co-chairman of the Basic Society Committee of the Democratic Party's Election Countermeasures Committee. / Photo by Yonhap News
Democratic Party presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung has also refrained from commenting on Professor Choi's voluntary resignation. Regarding Professor Jo, he said, "It is truly regrettable and weighs heavily on my heart. I, as the candidate, will take full responsibility," but did not specify what responsibility he would take or how.
It is clear that both parties failed to verify potentially controversial aspects during talent recruitment, sparking unnecessary and exhausting disputes. Citizens are voicing criticism, saying, "How many times has this happened already?" The candidates' responses after controversies and the repeated failure to improve these issues are also points of public criticism.
Experts point out that both parties are complacent about talent recruitment verification. Political commentator Lee Jong-hoon said, "Verification is clearly inadequate across all parties. The ruling party usually enjoys a 'ruling party premium' to some extent. They should be able to utilize systems for assistance or verification, such as those in the Blue House, so the controversy over inadequate verification is hard to understand. Especially since co-chairmen of the campaign committee hold important positions, the candidate should personally apologize and take responsibility."
He added, "It is suspicious that issues easily found by ordinary people with minimal investigation were not reviewed during talent recruitment. It seems they focus too much on visible image. Also, it raises suspicion that talent recruitment is based on recommendations from close aides and accepted without much thought. Talent recruitment should thoroughly consider expertise and representativeness."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
