Namgu Urban Regeneration Center CEO at Center of Appointment Controversy Moves to Gwangju FC After 9 Months

Criticism Rises Over Lee Hyun's Sudden Move
Questions of Responsibility as CEO Leaves Center with Over a Year Left in Term
Concerns Grow About Use of Position as Stepping Stone

Exterior view of Gwangju Namgu District Office.

The CEO of the newly established Namgu Urban Regeneration Village Cooperation Center, an affiliate organization under Gwangju Namgu District that has been embroiled in controversy over rumors of a prearranged appointment, is facing criticism for what is being called an irresponsible move after transferring to the position of Head of Management at Gwangju FC just nine months after his appointment.

According to Gwangju FC and other sources on the 20th, Lee Hyun, CEO of the Namgu Urban Regeneration Village Cooperation Center (hereafter referred to as the Center), was announced as the successful candidate for the Head of Management position at Gwangju FC the previous day.

Last month, on the 14th, CEO Lee met with Noh Dongil, CEO of Gwangju FC, submitted his resume, and applied for the position, which was filled through a recommendation-based recruitment process. Upon hearing of his acceptance, he reportedly submitted his resignation to Kim, the head of the district office and chairman of the Center's board.

Gwangju FC, which hired CEO Lee as Head of Management through a board resolution, plans to coordinate the timing of his official start at a later date.

However, CEO Lee was appointed in November last year and still had about one year and three months remaining in his term. Rumors had circulated for over a year that Lee, who previously served as Deputy District Head of Namgu, had been preselected during the process of appointing the inaugural CEO to stabilize the Center. Ultimately, he has been unable to avoid criticism that he used the position as a stepping stone to become Head of Management.

Previously, in January 2023, CEO Lee, who was serving as a Level 4 Director in Namgu, was exceptionally promoted to Level 3 through an internal promotion at the district level, which is an unusual case.

At that time, despite opposition from Gwangju City, which claimed that the promotion violated the personnel exchange agreement, District Head Kim Byungnae pushed ahead with Lee's promotion, accepting potential budgetary or personnel penalties.

An official from Namgu said, "It has not yet been decided whether the resignation will be accepted," and explained, "According to the articles of association, if the CEO position becomes vacant, an executive appointed by the district head will temporarily assume the role."