[Reporter’s Note] Jeju Island’s Frequent Recruitment Irregularities Leave Young People in Tears

Jeju Authorities' Inadequate Response to Hiring Scandals
Public Outrage Grows Over Preferential Treatment and Lack of Accountability

Changwon Park, Director of Honam Reporting Headquarters.

Recently, a series of misconduct cases involving hiring solicitations by high-ranking public officials in Jeju Island have come to light. However, instead of the expected disciplinary actions, Jeju authorities seem to be deliberately ignoring and trying to cover up these issues, causing significant distress to job seekers.

On the 6th, Jeju Province was expected to impose severe disciplinary action regarding the political secretary to the governor's alleged solicitation for a Jeju Air flight attendant position. However, the matter ended with only a 'warning', sparking public criticism. Furthermore, last week, the Jeju Provincial Audit Committee's audit of the Jeju Credit Guarantee Foundation revealed that an employee, hired through improper procedures, was in fact the son of the current vice governor. Despite this, there was no mention of the matter, and the authorities appeared to quietly brush it aside.

Regarding the political secretary's involvement in the Jeju Air flight attendant recruitment, which was exclusively reported by this outlet last month, Governor Oh Younghoon stated at a press conference with reporters on the 6th, "If there is anything illegal, I believe the authorities will investigate," and added, "We confirmed that a message was sent and issued a warning as a result."

The governor's response?without any effort to further clarify the facts or explain whether the secretary's message had any soliciting intent, simply stating, "If there is anything illegal, an investigation will take place"?is enough to leave local youth preparing for employment feeling not just powerless, but deeply disheartened.

Moreover, on the 19th, the Jeju Audit Committee ruled that the conversion of two Jeju Shinbo contract employees to permanent positions was an unfair hiring practice, issuing a stern warning to the institution. One of these employees is reportedly the son of the current vice governor. According to the audit results, hiring procedures were thoroughly disregarded: rules were changed to benefit these two individuals, and then reverted after their hiring, raising suspicions of illegal and improper conduct. The regulations were amended specifically for their conversion to permanent positions. The relevant departments in Jeju Province, which oversee management and supervision, were also given warnings.

If the son of a sitting vice governor was inappropriately hired, suspicions of preferential treatment are only natural. Nevertheless, it is reported that the vice governor, instead of providing any explanation or clarification, essentially threatened people not to mention specific names. Such behavior is hardly acceptable for a high-ranking political official.

It has also been reported that the vice governor called A, a member of the People Power Party who posted the audit results with real names on their personal social media, several times late at night, urging them to take down the post without offering any explanation regarding the suspicions.

Jeju Province's response to the Audit Committee's findings of 'improper hiring' appears even more inappropriate. According to a recent local media report, a message was posted in a group chat of senior Jeju officials emphasizing that the conversion hiring was justified by union demands and consultations with the supervisory department, and was unrelated to any preferential treatment for the vice governor's child. This not only contradicts the findings of the Audit Committee, but also raises doubts as to whether the explanation, which should be given to the public, is instead being used to brief civil servants on how to justify the situation.

Last year, the net outflow of Jeju's population doubled compared to the previous year, with those in their 20s accounting for 64.4%, marking the highest rate of youth out-migration in 38 years.

There is a saying in Jeju: "Regardless of party, 'Gwaendang' is the most important." Jeju has its own unique culture, where family and school ties are deeply intertwined in the small local community. However, such practices may instill in local youth the perception that without family connections or backing, it is nearly impossible to secure a good job. Is it only this reporter who sees the tears of young people frustrated by these circumstances?