Promoted Official Who Refused Breath Test... Backlash Floods Namwon City, Promotion Eventually Canceled

Namwon-si Cancels Promotion of Public Official Who Refused Breathalyzer Test
Promoted from Grade 6 to 5 While Under Police Investigation
"Regret Employees' Sense of Loss," Also Makes Inappropriate Remark

Jeonbuk Namwon City, which caused controversy by promoting a public official who repeatedly refused alcohol testing instead of disciplining him, has canceled the promotion decision for the official.

Namwon City Hall exterior view
[Photo by Namwon City]

On the 17th, Namwon City in Jeonbuk announced that it had canceled the promotion decision of Grade 6 public official A (administrative level) at the Namwon City Personnel Committee meeting. The chairman of the personnel committee and the committee members judged that a re-discussion was necessary regarding A's promotion and held the personnel committee by authority to cancel the promotion decision.

Earlier, around 1 a.m. on May 31, A was caught by the police on the shoulder of the highway at the 38.8 km mark on the Gwangju-Daegu Expressway southbound after a company dinner in Namwon city. He claimed, "I did not drink," and refused the alcohol test request three times, leading to his arrest as a suspect caught in the act.

According to current public official regulations, refusal to undergo alcohol testing is a serious disciplinary matter warranting suspension or higher. The amendment to the "Public Official Disciplinary Regulations" announced by the Ministry of Personnel Management in December 2021 specifies that a public official can be dismissed if they commit drunk driving even once with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.2% or higher or refuse the alcohol test.

The problem arose when Namwon City included A, who was under police investigation, in the list of promotions and transfers for the administrative officer level on the 15th of last month. Despite growing controversy, Namwon City defended the decision by stating, "The person claims he did not drink," and that under the presumption of innocence principle, they could not impose disadvantages in advance. As public opinion worsened uncontrollably, Namwon City announced plans to suspend the official from duty and conduct a fact-finding investigation. This was a decision made one and a half months after the incident occurred.

A Namwon City official stated, "It was difficult to make an accurate judgment without the results of the investigation and judicial decision, so disciplinary or personnel actions could not be taken," but also expressed regret, saying, "We feel sorry for the loss felt by employees and the social unrest caused."

Criticism Posts Flood Namwon City Free Bulletin Board Regarding Promotion of Public Officials Who Refused Breathalyzer Tests

Despite the cancellation of A's promotion, netizens' anger has not subsided. On Namwon City's official website free bulletin board, netizens who have completed real-name verification are posting criticism of A one after another. Netizens continued their criticism with comments such as, "Why do you make people from Namwon ashamed?", "Is this a place that supports those who refuse alcohol testing?", "Come to Namwon, the city of drunk-driving public officials," and "Do Namwon public officials have to drive drunk to be promoted to high positions?"

Namwon Mayor Choi Kyung-sik bowed his head and said, "Drunk driving and abuse of power are unforgivable acts that can completely take away others' happiness and health," adding, "We will continue to thoroughly investigate acts that damage the dignity of public officials, strictly respond with a zero-tolerance policy, and establish a fair and transparent personnel system."