"Just Trying Out of Curiosity"... One-Time Drug Use Leads to Public Office Dismissal

New Disciplinary Regulations Established for Drunk Driving on Bicycles and Kickboards

From now on, if a public official commits a drug-related crime even once with intent or gross negligence, they will be dismissed or discharged.

The Ministry of the Interior and Safety announced on the 10th that it will implement the "Local Public Officials Disciplinary Rules" containing these provisions on the 11th.

First, a new category of drug-related misconduct was established in the disciplinary standards. If there is intent, or even if there is no intent but the misconduct is severe and involves gross negligence, dismissal or discharge will be imposed. If the misconduct is minor and involves simple negligence, the punishment will range from suspension to salary reduction.

An official from the Ministry of the Interior and Safety explained, "This measure aims to raise awareness within the public service about drug crimes amid growing public anxiety due to the recent spread of the illegal drug market and the surge in drug offenders."

Disciplinary standards related to drunk driving on bicycles and personal mobility devices have also been established. Until now, the standards for automobile drunk driving were applied to bicycle drunk driving as well, leading to calls from the field to distinguish between them.

From now on, if a public official is caught drunk driving a bicycle or causes a traffic accident, a disciplinary standard one level more lenient than that for automobile drunk driving will be applied. For a first offense of bicycle drunk driving, the penalty ranges from salary reduction to reprimand, and if the official causes personal injury in an accident and flees, the penalty can reach dismissal to demotion.

Additionally, the standards have been improved to allow consideration of work experience when disciplinary action is requested due to negligence caused by inexperience for new or low-ranking public officials. The intention is to reduce the responsibility for mistakes made by rookie public officials and support their adaptation to public service.

Kim Min-jae, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, stated, "Crimes that cause social disturbance will be strictly disciplined, and excessive disciplinary measures against new public officials have been adjusted to fit reality. We will continue to reasonably improve related systems so that local public officials can earn the trust of residents."