[2025 Audit] Committee Urges Resolution After Human Resources Development Service President Refuses to Resign

Parliamentary Audit of Agencies Under the Ministry of Employment and Labor
Human Resources Development Service of Korea Faces Intense Scrutiny
President Refuses to Resign Despite Persistent Calls
Concerns Raised Over Korea Workers' Compensation and Welfare Service, Korea Polytechnics

Amid ongoing pressure for the resignation of Lee Wooyoung, President of the Human Resources Development Service of Korea, over issues with national qualification exams such as the Certified Labor Attorney exam, Lee stated that he has no intention of stepping down. In response, some lawmakers argued that the committee should formally adopt a resolution urging his resignation.

On the 21st, Lee Wooyoung, President of the Human Resources Development Service of Korea, spoke at the National Assembly’s hearing on the Korea Workers' Compensation and Welfare Service conducted by the Climate, Energy, Environment and Labor Committee. Photo by Yonhap News

On October 21, the National Assembly’s Climate, Energy, Environment and Labor Committee conducted a parliamentary audit of agencies under the Ministry of Employment and Labor at the Korea Workers' Compensation and Welfare Service in Jung-gu, Ulsan. The audit covered 12 organizations: the Korea Workers' Compensation and Welfare Service, the Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency, the Human Resources Development Service of Korea, the Korea Employment Agency for the Disabled, the Korea Employment Information Service, the Korea Polytechnics, the Korea University of Technology and Education, the Korea Labor Foundation, the Construction Workers Mutual Aid Association, the Korea Social Enterprise Promotion Agency, Korea Job World, and the Korea Employment and Labor Education Institute.

During the audit of the Human Resources Development Service of Korea, a series of allegations were raised regarding errors in the Certified Labor Attorney exam, inappropriate use of business promotion expenses, and misuse of official vehicles. In particular, errors in the computerized announcement of exam results last year and this year led to changes in pass and fail statuses. According to Assemblyman Lee Yongwoo of the Democratic Party of Korea, the agency attempted to conceal the issue by only addressing this year's problem while failing to disclose last year's error.

Assemblyman Lee stated, "The agency received a D grade in last year’s public institution management evaluation and is expected to receive another D grade this year. Two consecutive years of D grades would result in a recommendation for the dismissal of the head of the institution." He added, "Since trust and fairness are central to the agency overseeing the exams, the president should resign to take responsibility." In response, President Lee said, "I fully acknowledge my responsibility." However, he indicated no immediate intention to resign, stating, "The head of the institution must first resolve the aftermath of the special audit." He also remarked, "I am not attached to the position."

As President Lee effectively refused to resign, calls emerged for the Climate, Energy, Environment and Labor Committee to adopt a resolution urging his resignation. Committee Chair Ahn Hoyoung said, "Assemblyman Lee has requested a resolution urging the president’s resignation and a request for prosecution for perjury, but there appears to be controversy over whether there were actual violations according to various audit results." He continued, "We will further review the matter among committee members and, together with the ruling and opposition party secretaries, discuss whether there is a real need for prosecution or a resolution urging resignation."

Regarding the Korea Workers' Compensation and Welfare Service, concerns were raised about the failure to set aside retirement allowances for the Medical Business Division. This issue was mentioned again in this year’s audit, as it was last year. Assemblyman Kim Wisang of the People Power Party pointed out that securing retirement benefit reserves is mandatory for public institutions but is not being followed. In response, Park Jonggil, President of the Korea Workers' Compensation and Welfare Service, said, "I apologize." Regarding criticisms about insufficient personnel and budget for the Small and Medium Enterprise Retirement Pension Fund (Blue Seed) operated by the agency, President Park explained, "We will thoroughly review and report back."

The Korea Workers' Compensation and Welfare Service was also criticized for failing to properly guide industrial accident workers through the disability assessment process, and for its industrial accident hospitals shifting responsibility for assessments. Assemblyman Kim Taeseon of the Democratic Party of Korea pointed out, "When workers try to obtain a medical certificate to apply for industrial accident benefits, if the responsible doctor has left or the hospital has closed, there is no way to get the certificate, leading some to give up after being sent from place to place." President Park responded that he was not fully aware of the specifics and said, "We will look into it."

In the case of Korea Polytechnics, criticism was raised regarding the aborted plan to establish a branch campus in Cambodia. Assemblyman Kang Deukgu of the Democratic Party of Korea stated, "The National Polytechnic University under Cambodia’s Ministry of Labor already exists as part of a Korean government official development assistance (ODA) project." He added, "The project was terminated following impeachment." Lee Cheolsoo, President of Korea Polytechnics, explained that the decision to withdraw was his own, saying, "To put it bluntly, I felt the prospects were bleak, so I decided to halt the project."