Received Meal Hospitality from Waterworks Department's Outsourced Company
Approximately 21,000 KRW per Person... Key Issue is Whether There is Quid Pro Quo
Official Explains "A Gathering for Smooth Job Performance"
[Naju=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yukbong] A public official in Naju, Jeollanam-do, received a meal entertainment from a company related to their duties, prompting the Ministry of the Interior and Safety to launch an audit.
According to Naju City on the 5th, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety is conducting an audit targeting nine employees of the city's Water and Sewage Department.
These nine employees reportedly had lunch on December 27 last year at a puffer fish specialty restaurant in Bitgaram-dong, Naju City, with two representatives from the consigned management company.
The total meal cost was 231,000 KRW, approximately 21,000 KRW per person. It was confirmed that the company representatives paid the bill.
The Ministry of the Interior and Safety is investigating whether this lunch meeting involved any quid pro quo from the company.
The public official explained that they hold weekly work report meetings every Tuesday in the office with the company representatives, and this was the first time they had a meal together.
He stated, "We had lunch together to facilitate smooth job performance," adding, "There was absolutely no quid pro quo, but I feel a moral responsibility as a public official for undergoing such an audit."
Since last year, issues regarding public service discipline have been continuously raised in Naju City. Although the city conducted drunk driving education for employees last year, a public official was soon caught driving under the influence and received a one-month salary reduction disciplinary action.
Despite conducting integrity education this time as well, it seems difficult to avoid criticism as suspicions of violating the Anti-Graft Act with quid pro quo have arisen again.
A Naju City official said, "Despite conducting multiple integrity education sessions for public officials, we regret that such issues have emerged from the beginning of the Year of the Black Rabbit, and we feel sorry to the citizens," adding, "We will strive to create an honest organizational culture going forward."
Naju=Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yukbong bless4ya@asiae.co.kr
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