Hearing Procedures Underway for Appointment Cancellations
Sixteen Employees Involved in Recruitment Process Also Disciplined
Election Commission: "Continued Efforts to Restore Public Trust"
On the 8th, the National Election Commission announced that it is in the process of canceling the appointments of 10 individuals, including children of high-ranking officials, who were suspected of receiving preferential treatment during the hiring process. Additionally, 16 employees who inappropriately handled tasks during the hiring process were disciplined.
In a press release on the same day, the Secretariat of the Election Commission stated that it made this announcement regarding 10 individuals suspected of preferential treatment during the career recruitment of local government officials as public servants for regional election commissions.
According to an audit report released by the Board of Audit and Inspection in February this year, there were indications of organized preferential hiring by the Election Commission to ensure the children of current and former employees passed. In response, the Election Commission transferred those suspected of preferential treatment in career recruitment to the Secretariat of the Central Committee earlier last month and requested an investigation by law enforcement agencies on charges of violating the National Public Service Act and other laws.
Last week, the Election Commission began the process of hearing opinions from the parties involved by sending hearing attendance notices to 10 of them. One person has already been dismissed. Furthermore, the Election Commission disciplined 16 employees who inappropriately handled tasks during the preferential hiring process. The disciplinary committee dismissed 6 employees and imposed severe disciplinary actions such as suspension on others, while 10 employees received lighter disciplinary actions such as pay reduction and reprimand. Two employees requiring legal review will be reconsidered by the disciplinary committee later.
Regarding the preferential hiring allegations involving children, the Election Commission had previously requested investigations into four high-ranking officials, including a former Secretary-General and Deputy Secretary-General, through a special audit conducted in May 2023 when the related allegations first surfaced. Subsequently, last month, additional investigations were requested on charges of violating the National Public Service Act and other laws against four high-ranking officials, including former standing members of regional election commissions, who were found to have possibly exerted undue influence during the career recruitment process of their children and others. A representative of the Election Commission stated, "We will continue efforts to restore public trust and transform into an institution that meets the expectations of the people, starting with the appointment cancellation procedures."
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