After the Typhoon and Jamboree... Yoon, Now the Time for Decision

Need to Address Jamboree Issues
Public Criticism of Officials' Negligence
Timing of Personnel Decisions Amid Osong Disaster

President Yoon Suk-yeol is approaching a critical moment to make a decision on personnel measures that were postponed due to Typhoon Khanun and the 2023 Saemangeum Scout Jamboree response.

A senior ruling party official said in a phone interview with Asia Economy on the 11th, "The Jamboree is not yet over," but added, "The time will come to determine right and wrong." Since it is a priority to bring the Jamboree to a successful conclusion, the government will focus its efforts until the closing ceremony, and President Yoon and the Presidential Office will review the issues revealed during the event and the question of responsibility.

There is growing public demand for disciplinary and personnel actions against those involved, as the Jamboree is being evaluated as having gone wrong from the very beginning. Of the 120 billion won project budget, more than twice the amount spent on infrastructure such as landscaping, restrooms, and shower facilities went to staff. Among 99 overseas trips (55 by Jeollabuk-do, 25 by Buan County, 12 by Saemangeum Development Agency, 5 by Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, and 2 by Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs), it was revealed that some trips were unrelated to the Jamboree, including trips to Switzerland and France, and a cruise trip to Shanghai, which were considered leisure trips.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Criticism of senior officials responsible for the Jamboree remains strong. During last year's National Assembly audit, despite criticisms regarding preparations for heatwaves and water puddles, as well as poor basic facilities such as showers and restrooms, Minister of Gender Equality and Family Kim Hyun-sook and other responsible officials gave false answers, raising calls for accountability. Additionally, Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sang-min, who conducted an on-site inspection just before the Jamboree but failed to respond properly, is also facing criticism. Minister Kim, as the minister in charge of youth affairs, has served as the Saemangeum Jamboree Organizing Committee Chairperson alongside Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Yoon-duk, and Minister Lee was appointed together with Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Park Bo-gyun and Scout Federation President Kang Tae-seon.

Another pressing issue is the recommendation for dismissal of related public officials, including the Administrator of the Saemangeum Development Agency, due to negligence in response during the heavy rains last month that caused damage at Gungpyeong 2nd Underpass. On the 31st, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo recommended the dismissal of Lee Sang-rae, Administrator of the Administrative City Construction Agency (Saemangeum Development Agency Administrator, vice-minister level), in connection with the Gungpyeong 2nd Underpass disaster in Osong-eup, Heungdeok-gu, Cheongju-si, Chungbuk Province, which resulted in 24 casualties. Furthermore, there is public outrage over allegations of higher-level interference in the investigation of Corporal Cha Soo-geun’s death while searching for a missing person in Yecheon County, Gyeongbuk Province, and thorough personnel measures are urged depending on the investigation results.

In addition, President Yoon plans to hold an extraordinary Cabinet meeting on the 14th to finalize the Liberation Day special pardon. Earlier, the Ministry of Justice’s Pardon Review Committee decided on the 9th to report the candidates for the Liberation Day special pardon to President Yoon. The pardon candidates include former Gangseo District Mayor Kim Tae-woo, Booyoung Group Chairman Lee Joong-geun, former Taekwang Group Chairman Lee Ho-jin, Kumho Petrochemical Chairman Park Chan-gu, and Chong Kun Dang Chairman Lee Jang-han.