The Central Election Commission, which has sparked controversy over 'irregular hiring of high-ranking officials' children, said on the 4th, 'We again sincerely apologize to the public.'
The Election Commission apologized for the discovery of irregularities related to the hiring of high-ranking officials' children and issues with employee discipline, which were revealed in the audit results of 'Personnel management status of the Election Commission' announced by the Board of Audit and Inspection on the 27th of last month.
It noted that it has taken measures to eliminate irregularities in hiring, saying, 'Nevertheless, we feel a sense of responsibility that if we do not meet the public's trust and expectations, it could lead to distrust in the election process.'
◇The Central Election Commission: 'It is not excluded that the National Assembly’s national investigation and audit will be controlled.'
Earlier, the Board of Audit and Inspection launched an inspection starting in June 2023, following a series of allegations regarding the preferential hiring of high-ranking officials' children at the Election Commission, and decided on measures at the Board meeting on the 25th of last month. The audit resulted in the detection of irregularities including requests for family or relative hiring, manipulation of interview scores, and the alteration and concealment of personnel-related evidence documents at seven city and provincial election commissions, including the Seoul Election Commission, and proposed severe penalties for 32 individuals, including the former Secretary General and the Deputy Secretary General.
However, the Election Commission claimed that the Board of Audit and Inspection cannot conduct inspections on the Election Commission and filed a petition for a dispute trial with the Constitutional Court. The Constitutional Court ruled on the 27th of last month that 'the inspection violated the authority granted to the Election Commission in accordance with the Constitution and the Election Commission Act,' determining that the Election Commission is not subject to the Board of Audit and Inspection's inspection.
In this context, the Election Commission stated, 'It is not excluded that the external control by the National Assembly through national investigations and audits will be implemented,' adding, 'If discussions are held in the National Assembly for control measures, we will actively participate.'
It further noted, 'We will actively consider establishing a temporary special committee led by external experts,' and asserted, 'We will make continuous efforts to self-correct and improve until the public is satisfied.'
The People Power Party announced that it would push for the introduction of a special auditor to oversee the Election Commission's irregularities and the introduction of a National Assembly confirmation hearing for the Election Commission's Secretary General. Floor leader Kweon Seong-dong said on the 28th of last month, 'Let’s set a timeframe of three or six months for the special auditor and grant authority equivalent to that of the Board of Audit and Inspection.'
◇Minister-level Secretary General exerted influence to hire son as an 8th-grade public servant, also received benefits from the official residence.
According to the audit results by the Board of Audit and Inspection, there were frequent requests for family hiring from high-ranking officials to middle managers at the Election Commission. High-ranking officials and middle managers at the Election Commission contacted personnel officers without hesitation to request hiring. Most preferential hiring occurred when children of high-ranking Election Commission officials who were already working as local government officials applied for career positions at the Election Commission and switched jobs.
Former Secretary General Kim Se-hwan of the Central Election Commission (Minister-level) was investigated for improperly exerting influence to have his son hired as an 8th-grade public servant in the Incheon Ganghwa-gun Election Commission in 2019. Kim’s child was appointed to the Ganghwa-gun Election Commission without a transfer restriction period, and could transfer to a higher authority, Incheon Election Commission, after only one year of employment. The official residence was also provided free of charge. Kim reportedly told the personnel officers, 'Please somehow make it happen for the (official residence).'
When the daughter of former Secretary General Park Chan-jin, who succeeded Kim, applied for the Jeonnam Election Commission's hiring in 2022, a score manipulation method was employed. The personnel officer had the interviewers leave the score sections blank, and then filled in scores for the predetermined candidates including Park’s daughter to ensure their acceptance.
Former Deputy Secretary General Song Bong-seob (Vice Minister level) of the Central Election Commission in 2018 called the person in charge at the Chungbuk Election Commission and requested them to recommend his daughter, who was working in the Chungnam City Hall at the time, for a career public servant position at the Chungbuk Danyang Election Commission. While soliciting the hiring, Song said, 'It’s not just because she is my daughter; she is really kind and diligent.'
Personnel officers from the Central and regional Election Commissions claimed, 'The Election Commission is a family company,' and it was investigated that even when allegations of preferential hiring arose, they ignored the issue, saying, 'As long as the election goes well, that’s all that matters.' One employee who was caught up in the irregular hiring stated during the Board of Audit and Inspection investigation, 'In the past, when the Election Commission hired for career positions, there was a tradition of hiring relatives to ensure reliable candidates.'
In relation to this, the Central Election Commission announced that it conducted a special audit in May 2023, dismissed the Secretary General and the Deputy Secretary General, and referred four high-ranking officials, including the Secretary General, to judicial authorities for investigation. Additionally, it requested disciplinary actions against four employees involved. Currently, the problematic local career hires are not being conducted, and interviewers are appointed 100% from outside. An independent audit committee composed of multiple external members has also been established. The Central Election Commission stated, 'After applying strengthened hiring regulations in July 2023, we have eliminated issues related to the hiring of high-ranking officials' children.'
◇The Election Commission: 'Prompt action will be taken against employees whose disciplinary procedures were suspended.'… Ten individuals who were improperly hired are currently employed.
The Central Election Commission stated, 'We plan to take prompt and strict action against the employees whose disciplinary procedures were suspended due to the Board of Audit and Inspection's inspection not being completed.'
However, it is reported that ten individuals related to the illegal and improper hiring identified by the Board of Audit and Inspection are still serving at the Election Commission. The Board of Audit and Inspection requested disciplinary actions only against executives or personnel officers involved in the hiring process, and did not call for any disciplinary actions against those who were improperly hired.