[Exclusive] Head of Ministry of Environment Agency with 'Annual Salary of 200 Million Won' Habitually Works from Home 40% of Working Days

Kang Bok-gyu, Director of the Water Resources Investigation Institute
61 out of 150 days this year
Working from home without clear reasons
All employees reported to work in the first half

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Ju-yeon] It has been revealed that the head of an agency under the Ministry of Environment filled nearly half of their working days with remote work without clear reasons. While all employees are coming to the office unless there are quarantine guideline cases due to COVID-19, the agency head, who receives an annual salary close to 200 million KRW, chose to work from home instead of on-site, drawing criticism that their work attitude might be lax.

Photo by Korea Water Resources Survey and Technology Institute promotional materials

According to data received by Kim Du-gwan, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, from the Korea Water Resources Survey Technology Institute, the agency head Kang Bok-gyu worked remotely for 61 days, which is 40% of the total 150 working days from January to August 5 this year. Although social distancing measures due to COVID-19 were eased and remote work criteria became stricter, limited only to confirmed cases and close contacts, Kang continued to work from home. In particular, in March, out of 21 working days, he only came to the office 6 days. In August, he came to the office only once between the 1st and 5th. Last year, the number of remote work days was 67, but this year it has become even more frequent.

By month, last year, despite January 1 being a New Year's holiday, Kang worked remotely from 2 PM to 6 PM. Then, remote work occurred 3 times in March, 4 times in April, 7 times in May, 9 times in June, 7 times in July, 9 times in August, 10 times in September, 5 times in October, 7 times in November, and 5 times in December.

Source: Office of Assemblyman Kim Du-kwan

This year as well, remote work was done every month: 9 times in January, 9 times in February, 15 times in March, 9 times in April, 5 times in May, 3 times in June, 7 times in July, and 4 times up to August 5. Especially in March, out of 21 working days, the days he came to the office were very few. In August, based on the first 5 days, he worked remotely except for 3 days.

Although social distancing due to COVID-19 has been eased and remote work criteria have become stricter, limited to confirmed cases and close contacts, there are calls for an explanation regarding working remotely on nearly half of the working days.

What is even more peculiar is that he applied for remote work the day after holidays. In March last year, he worked remotely on the 2nd, the day after Samiljeol (Independence Movement Day), and in August, he did not come to the office on the 17th, the substitute holiday for Gwangbokjeol (Liberation Day), working remotely instead. Similarly, he did not come to the office the day after Gaecheonjeol (National Foundation Day) and the substitute holiday for Hangeul Day in October of the same year.

Photo by Korea Water Resources Survey and Technology Institute promotional materials

General employees working at the agency also expressed high dissatisfaction. On anonymous bulletin boards, criticisms such as "He worked remotely throughout his term and did no external activities. He easily earns 190 million KRW annually. What has he done during his term?" and "While employees are discouraged from remote work, the agency head works remotely 2 to 3 days a week. This is neglect of duty" were raised.

The Korea Water Resources Survey Technology Institute was established in 2017 to produce basic data and develop related technologies necessary for healthy water circulation, stable water supply, and minimizing water-related disaster damage. The agency head's annual salary was 196.17 million KRW last year. Despite receiving a high salary, there are voices calling for a thorough review of the tasks and work performance carried out by Kang, who habitually worked remotely during his term.

Assemblyman Kim Du-gwan stated, "The agency head habitually worked remotely using COVID-19 as an excuse. It is questionable whether normal work was conducted," and emphasized, "Since smaller agencies tend to be less in the public eye, they need to be scrutinized more strictly during the national audit."