Controversy Over 'Albakgi' in Recruitment of Heads at Tourism Corporation and Korea Creative Content Agency

The recruitment of heads of major public institutions, which had been halted due to the impeachment political turmoil, appears to have recently resumed. Some raise controversy, claiming that the current administration is conducting 'blocking' appointments with the possibility of an early presidential election in mind.

On the 5th, Asia Economy investigated the public institution management information disclosure system 'Alio' and found that among the 31 institutions under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, five institutions have vacant heads, and two of these are currently undergoing recruitment procedures.

Korea Tourism Organization announced the recruitment for the president position on the 24th of last month and is currently proceeding with the process. Since the former president Kim Jang-sil resigned in January last year to run for the general election, the position has been vacant for over a year. There is an opinion that recruitment is inevitable as the important position of the organization’s head cannot remain vacant for long. In particular, with the possibility of China lifting the Hanhanryeong (ban on Korean Wave content) as early as May, the need to appoint the president of the Tourism Organization has increased.

However, controversy has arisen as speculation emerged that a political figure is aiming for the president position at the Tourism Organization. During the recruitment for the president of the Tourism Organization in August last year, former presidential office policy and public relations secretary Kang Hoon was mentioned as a candidate, causing controversy. Eventually, former Secretary Kang voluntarily withdrew, and the head position of the Tourism Organization remains vacant.

An official from the tourism industry pointed out, "Although it has been vacant for a long time, the sudden rush does not look positive," adding, "Especially since the recruitment is proceeding at a time just before the impeachment ruling, it raises suspicions."

In the case of the Content Promotion Agency, since former director Cho Hyun-rae stepped down due to term expiration in September last year, no successor has been appointed. In August last year, the executive recommendation committee had nominated Professor Kim Jae-ha of the Digital Art Department at Seoul Institute of the Arts as a content expert, but the appointment was abruptly canceled. At that time, multiple sources said that the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism felt burdened by appointing the head due to the impeachment turmoil and the possibility of an early presidential election. However, in January this year, the Ministry instructed a re-recruitment, and the current candidate pool has been narrowed down to three. Professor Kim is reportedly not included in the final list.

An official said, "There is talk that Minister Yoo In-chon of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism intends to appoint one of the first-grade officials as the director to resolve the personnel backlog," expressing concern that "if Professor Kim takes legal action, a complicated situation may arise."

In addition, the Korea Artists Welfare Foundation (vacant since April last year), Sejong Institute Foundation (vacant since September last year), and Korea Publishing Culture Industry Promotion Agency (vacant since December last year) also continue to have vacant head positions. In the case of the Korea Publishing Culture Industry Promotion Agency, last fall, as the term of former director Kim Jun-hee was about to expire, a director recommendation committee was to be formed, but the process was delayed because the ex officio non-standing director, the head of the Media Policy Bureau of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, was vacant. The director recommendation committee has now been formed, but due to political turmoil and other factors, progress has been slow.

Among the institutions under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, some head vacancies have been prolonged. In particular, controversy has arisen as there is speculation that a senior official from the Ministry will be appointed as the director of the National Gugak Center. Traditionally, the director position has been held by someone from the Gugak (traditional Korean music) community, but this time there is a possibility that a person with a different background will fill the position. The National Gugak Center has been vacant since June last year when Director Kim Young-woon retired upon term expiration. Currently, the Ministry of Personnel Management has completed interviews with the final three candidates, and an appointment is expected soon.

The National Institute of the Korean Language has been under the acting director Yoon Sung-chun since Director Jang So-won retired on October 7 last year. However, recruitment for the director position was conducted on December 2 last year, and the appointment of a new director is said to be imminent. The director of the National Institute of the Korean Language is an open career position, and the appointee is not a civil servant; however, faculty members of national and public universities are exceptionally eligible to apply. In fact, most of the past directors of the National Institute of the Korean Language were university professors.

Seo Won-seok, president of the Korean Tourism Association and professor at Kyung Hee University, emphasized, "Controversies over appointments at the Tourism Organization arise during politically sensitive times, but this seems to be not only a problem of the Tourism Organization but also other public institutions," adding, "Currently, the tourism industry is at an important turning point, and experts with insight into tourism are needed more than ever."