Gwangju City Councilor Chae Eun-ji: "DJ Center CEO's Power Abuse Controversy... Responsible Attitude Needed"

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] Gwangju Metropolitan Council member Chae Eunji demanded a responsible attitude and an official apology, stating that the abuse of power controversy involving Kim Sangmuk, CEO of the Kim Daejung Convention Center, has been officially acknowledged.

On the 31st, according to Council member Chae, the Gwangju Human Rights Ombudsman judged during the 2023 major business plan report of the Kim Daejung Convention Center that CEO Kim Sangmuk repeatedly violated employees' dignity by abusing his position, engaged in workplace harassment beyond an appropriate scope, and infringed on the constitutional right to dignity.

Last year, during the administrative audit, allegations of verbal abuse and abuse of power by Kim Sangmuk, CEO of the Kim Daejung Convention Center, against employees were raised.

Recently, the Human Rights Ombudsman's judgment recognized these allegations as factual, resulting in decisions for special human rights education for CEO Kim, paid leave for victims, and recommendations for workplace harassment prevention education for all employees.

Council member Chae criticized CEO Kim’s attitude and response, stating, “After the issue was raised, he identified and pressured the victims, denied workplace harassment, and explained himself, causing secondary harm.”

She added, “Since CEO Kim denied workplace harassment during the previous administrative audit and said, ‘If there is anything to be held accountable for, I will take responsibility,’ a responsible attitude as the head of the institution is necessary.”

In response, CEO Kim said, “I will express my position after the Gwangju City audit results.”

Kim Junyoung, head of the New Vitality Promotion Headquarters, the supervisory department of the Kim Daejung Convention Center, stated, “We are approaching this as a serious matter, and as the supervisory department, we have conducted a special work inspection and submitted related materials to the City Audit Committee. Necessary measures will be taken once the audit results are out.”

The Gwangju City Audit Committee also decided to verify the facts related to the allegations raised during the regular audit of the Kim Daejung Convention Center scheduled from the 9th of this month to the 3rd of next month.