Grade 7 Civil Servant Faces Regulation After 'Adult Broadcast' Controversy
Personnel Authority: "Prohibit Job Disclosure During Personal Broadcasts"
As the number of public officials working as adult broadcast BJs (broadcast hosts) with frequent exposure has increased recently, the government plans to regulate public officials' personal internet broadcasts.
A Grade 7 public official belonging to a central government ministry who was disciplined for conducting an internet exposure broadcast during work hours. [Photo by YTN]
On the 29th, the Ministry of Personnel Management sent the 'Guidelines for Establishing Public Service Discipline and Internet Personal Broadcasting Activities' to all 760,000 national public officials.
The activity guidelines include ▲prohibition of disclosing job-related information during personal broadcasts ▲prohibition of body exposure and use of vulgar language that damages the dignity of public officials ▲avoid causing dishonorable effects on all public officials, among others.
This appears to be a measure related to the recent controversy over 'public official BJs.' Various instances have exposed a breakdown in discipline, such as damaging the dignity of public officials or even conducting personal internet broadcasts during working hours.
On the 23rd, Mr. A, a 20-something Grade 7 administrative officer at a central government ministry, was suspended for three months on charges of conducting a live social media broadcast hosted on overseas servers during work hours and exposing his body. It is known that 100 to 300 viewers were watching Mr. A's broadcast at the time.
Mr. A secretly turned on the internet broadcast in the office and lifted his upper garment to expose his body. Moving to the restroom, he suddenly unbuttoned his shirt. During this process, documents and an organizational chart bearing the Taegeuk symbol representing the government were partially exposed. He also wore his public official ID card around his neck.
On the 14th, another Grade 7 administrative officer and special judicial police officer B, who has investigative authority and belongs to a different ministry, was reported to have been active as an internet adult broadcast BJ, causing controversy. However, Mr. B explained that he only engaged in such activities before being assigned after his appointment as a public official.
Public Officials Must Pass Screening to Hold Concurrent Positions
Meanwhile, according to Article 25 of the National Public Officials Service Regulations, public officials are generally prohibited from engaging in continuous profit-making work for financial gain. However, concurrent positions may be permitted if there is no concern that ▲the official's job performance will decline ▲there will be undue influence on official duties ▲there is a risk of acquiring interests conflicting with national interests ▲or there is a risk of causing dishonorable effects on the government.
The approval process is conducted through notification. If a public official wishes to hold a concurrent position, they must submit detailed information related to their duties to their affiliated agency and pass the review by the department head and agency head. Once approved, the permission is generally valid for up to two years, but for personal broadcasts, the approval must be renewed annually following strengthened measures implemented in 2020.
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