"Priority on Protecting Public Officials" ... Hapcheon-gun Establishes Measures to Handle Malicious Civil Complaints

Creating a Safe Environment for Public Officials
Providing Better Administrative Services

Hapcheon-gun, Gyeongnam Province announced on the 13th that it will establish and operate the "Hapcheon-gun Public Official Protection Plan" to respond to complaints involving 'illegal acts (special complaints) and repeated complaints' by civil petitioners, commonly known as malicious complaints.

Hapcheon County Office.

The Hapcheon-gun Public Official Protection Plan was prepared to ensure that public officials do not suffer from illegal acts by civil petitioners, which have recently become a social issue, and to provide better administrative services in a safe environment.

The main protection measures include preventing illegal acts by civil petitioners through strengthening the capabilities of complaint-handling public officials, personnel management, and education. In case of any illegal acts, a dedicated response team composed of members from audit, legal affairs, administration, and civil complaints departments will promptly provide support according to detailed plans. Additionally, in the event of legal issues arising after interactions with petitioners, the institution will take legal action and work to boost the morale and job stability of affected public officials.

Furthermore, Hapcheon-gun is organizing and operating emergency response teams in all departments and townships to handle malicious complaints, and is strengthening cooperation with local police stations. Through mock drills and other measures, it is systematizing emergency preparedness to respond promptly to dangerous situations.

Governor Kim Yoon-cheol stated, “By establishing a comprehensive administrative system to protect public officials handling complaints, we will promote and improve a mature complaint culture based on mutual consideration and respect between petitioners and public officials.”