"Active Review of External Control Measures"
"Disciplinary Action Requested for Personnel Involved in Improper Hiring Practices"
No Tae-ak, Chairman of the Central Election Commission, apologized on the 5th regarding the preferential hiring of children of high-ranking officials.
In a public apology statement on the same day, Chairman No said, "The Election Commission has caused great disappointment and concern to the public due to the preferential hiring of children of high-ranking officials," and added, "As the Chairman, I deeply reflect on this and sincerely apologize."
Earlier, the Election Commission expressed an apology regarding the preferential hiring issue involving the children of high-ranking officials, and then issued a second apology under the Chairman's name.
Noh Tae-ak, Chairman of the Central Election Commission, is arriving at the Central Election Commission building in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province on the 5th for the schedule related to the simultaneous election of chairpersons of Saemaeul Geumgo nationwide. Photo by Yonhap News
Chairman No also promised institutional improvements and efforts for self-purification related to this incident.
He stated, "I am well aware that public trust in the Election Commission is being shaken due to this incident," and added, "I take full responsibility for the distrust in the operation of the Election Commission potentially leading to distrust in the election process. The Election Commission will do its best to improve the system until the public is satisfied."
He also said that external control measures will be actively reviewed. Chairman No explained, "We will not be complacent with the institutional improvements made so far, such as revising personnel regulations and strengthening the independence of audit bodies, but will actively consider various external control measures as well. Regarding the preferential hiring issue, disciplinary action requests have been submitted to the disciplinary committee today for employees who improperly handled their duties, and we plan to take strict measures considering the disciplinary levels requested by the Board of Audit and Inspection and the internal standards of the Election Commission."
He continued, "The Election Commission will not rely solely on the independence of constitutional institutions but will make relentless efforts for self-purification to restore public trust."
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