Seoul City Official Dismissed for "Violation of Duty to Maintain Dignity"
A Seoul city government official was dismissed after calling in karaoke hostesses at an adult entertainment bar and live-streaming the event.
According to the Seoul Metropolitan Government on July 3, the city’s personnel committee decided to dismiss official A, who was affiliated with a district office, for violating the duty to maintain dignity during a meeting held on June 27. Dismissal is classified as a severe disciplinary action, along with removal, demotion, and suspension.
In February, A visited an adult entertainment bar, called in karaoke hostesses, and live-streamed the event, which led to an investigation by the district office. During the incident, A asked one of the hostesses, "What do you think I do for a living? Don't I look honest?" and when the woman replied, "You look like you might be in private lending," A responded, "I'm just a public official. A public official."
A also boasted about using welfare points to purchase cultural gift certificates and reselling them for cash to fund entertainment expenses, saying, "I bought cultural gift certificates with welfare points and cashed them in." In particular, A suggested to female viewers that they drink together, and when there was no response, used vulgar language and continued to make sexually harassing remarks toward viewers and fellow officials, which became a serious issue.
A, who received the dismissal, will soon be removed from public office through the personnel process. According to regulations such as the National Public Service Act, a dismissed public official is restricted from being reappointed to public office for the next three years.
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