[2022 National Audit] Culture Ministry Officials Receiving Bribes and Gifts Reemployed by Related Agencies

Suspected of Entertaining Officials, Drunk Driving Too... Light Punishment
"Retired Officials' Reemployment Should Be Evaluated with Stricter Standards"

A public official from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST) who caused controversy was confirmed to have been re-employed in a senior position at an affiliated organization last August.

According to the annual disciplinary status of the MCST disclosed on the 24th by Lee Yong (People Power Party), a member of the National Assembly’s Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee, Mr. A, the secretary-general of an MCST-affiliated organization, received a one-month suspension and double the usual disciplinary fine in July 2020 when he was a Grade 4 secretary at the MCST. This was due to the revelation that he had accepted entertainment and money, including meals, karaoke, lodging, and concert tickets, from employees of an MCST-affiliated organization in 2018.

Mr. A was also implicated in a 2019 public official hospitality scandal. At that time, controversy arose over the National Choir team leader allegedly abusing employees and misappropriating public funds to entertain MCST officials, with Mr. A identified as one of the officials who received hospitality. Although specific statements suggesting collusion were made, the MCST did not investigate the matter. Mr. A also has a prior disciplinary record for hitting a vehicle stopped at a red light while driving under the influence in 2014.

Despite causing various disturbances, Mr. A applied for the secretary-general position at an MCST-affiliated organization with about one year left until his retirement this year and was appointed last August. Upon taking office, he retired honorably from public service. The term for the secretary-general is three years.

Assemblyman Lee criticized, "Drunk driving by public officials, acceptance of entertainment, and the MCST’s belated lenient punishment are all unacceptable," adding, "A stricter verification process must be established to evaluate the re-employment of retired public officials."