Two Team Leader-Level Officials Resign After Verbal Abuse; Other Victims Receive Hospital Treatment
Audit Department: "Cannot Investigate County Governor and Director, but Staff Will Be Investigated Transparently and Strictly"
In Chungnam Seocheon County, allegations of misconduct involving County Governor Kim Gi-woong and team-level public officials have surfaced, and it was later revealed that an employee resigned due to superior-level power harassment.
According to Asia Economy's investigation on the 18th, last year, a public official at Seocheon County Office reported to the Ministry of the Interior and Safety that team-level official A had used abusive language and violated work regulations toward employees.
The Chungnam Provincial Audit Committee conducted an investigation into A and found that workplace power harassment had occurred. They requested disciplinary action from Seocheon County Office, which resulted in a pay reduction penalty in April.
As a result, two affected employees resigned and moved to other organizations, while other victims reportedly received hospital treatment. A is also known to have taken a leave of absence.
A county official stated, "Upon notification from the provincial office, we immediately separated the employees involved and imposed a pay reduction penalty on A. For the employees undergoing treatment, excluding the two who resigned, we are monitoring their health."
Meanwhile, B, presumed to be an employee working at Seocheon County Office, filed a report on June 3rd to the Chungnam Provincial Government’s National Petition and Public Interest Reporting section, alleging donation activities and pre-election campaign collusion involving Governor Kim and County Office team leader C.
B claims, "Another public official, D, allegedly gifted a luxury bag, presumed to have been purchased at a duty-free shop during a trip to Osaka, Japan, in May, to Governor Kim’s wife."
In relation to this, the county’s audit department is conducting investigations into the officials accused of misconduct. However, with allegations involving the governor, the governor’s wife, and directors, as well as suspicions of attempts to identify the whistleblower, it remains uncertain whether a transparent investigation will be conducted.
A county official said, "The governor and directors cannot be investigated, but we will conduct a transparent and strict investigation targeting other employees."
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