Gwangju Councilor Chae Eun-ji "Shocked by Emotional and Pressuring Expressions"
Foundation "Written in a Somewhat Agitated State... We Apologize"
The 5·18 Memorial Foundation, established to inherit and develop the spirit of the May 18 Democratic Movement, is facing controversy after issuing an official document containing threatening content to all employees.
On the 6th, Chae Eun-ji, a member of the Gwangju City Council (Democratic Party of Korea, proportional representation), criticized during the administrative audit of the 5·18 Memorial Foundation, stating, “The foundation, which carries on the May spirit and promotes democracy, human rights, and peace projects in Gwangju, created and distributed a threatening document to employees mentioning ‘suspension from duty’ and ‘dismissal by authority.’ The content is also shocking.”
The document revealed that day was created to reprimand issues related to staff placement and task allocation that arose during the establishment of the ‘Truth Investigation Team’ within the foundation after the government’s ‘Truth Investigation Committee’ concluded its activities in June. It was confirmed that the document was distributed to all employees.
In the document, the foundation stated, “The employees’ attitudes are utterly insufficient, complacent, very selfish, and their words and actions forget the foundation’s founding purpose. They only claim rights such as wage increases and improved treatment. We deeply doubt whether they are qualified as members.”
Furthermore, it specified that if employees express intentions to ‘not perform’ or ‘refuse to perform’ current or future assigned tasks, the foundation will immediately take measures such as ‘suspension from duty,’ ‘removal from position,’ ‘standby order,’ or ‘dismissal by authority’ in accordance with relevant laws.
Regarding this, Park Kang-bae, the executive director of the 5·18 Foundation, responded, “The document was written together by the chairman and myself, and it was distributed with the intention of setting guidelines due to disappointment with the employees’ attitudes. It was written in a somewhat heated state, and I apologize.”
Councilor Chae said, “While I understand the importance of forming the Truth Investigation Team, distributing a document containing emotional expressions and coercive policies to all employees cannot be considered an appropriate response. I urge the foundation to officially apologize to the employees and make efforts to resolve the issue amicably.”
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