Choi Dong-seok, the Minister of Personnel Management, who has indiscriminately criticized past political figures, causing a 'controversy over inappropriate remarks', said, "I apologize to those who have been hurt by my criticism."
Minister Choi stated in an apology letter distributed to reporters covering the Ministry of Personnel Management on the afternoon of the 29th, "As a retired management scholar and an expert in organizational theory, I have faced various issues in our society and among high-ranking public officials, and I have constantly criticized to create a better Korea. In that process, some rough expressions may have caused concern. I sincerely apologize once again."
He said, "Now that I have become a high-ranking public official serving as the Minister of Personnel Management, it is time for me to accept your criticism," and "In the future, I will approach my duties with the demeanor of a public official that matches the expectations of the people, using more cautious language and actions."
Earlier, Minister Choi faced controversy after it was revealed that he had criticized former President Moon Jae-in, pro-Moon Jae-in politicians, Kang Hoon, the Chief of Staff to the President, Woo Sang-ho, the Chief of Political Affairs, and Koo Yun-cheol, the Minister of Economy and Finance, on YouTube and social media before his appointment as Minister of Personnel Management.
Minister Choi stated in June that Moon Jae-in is "not presidential material. However, he was brought into public office, and as a result, the country fell." He also remarked that "Moon Jae-in is the source of all the suffering our people experience today." He is known to have made remarks bordering on inappropriate about key figures in the current government.
Minister Choi also ignited controversy over secondary harm by referring to the late Park Won-soon's sexual harassment case as a "premeditated incident" in a column he contributed to on Facebook in July 2020.
On the same day, Minister Choi mentioned this issue at a cabinet meeting and was told by the president to "just state the conclusion." During the cabinet meeting discussing measures to prevent industrial accidents, he began by saying, "I am very sorry that I have become quite famous recently," and continued, "While micro-level sanctions and regulations to prevent such incidents are absolutely necessary, they are not sufficient." The president interrupted him, saying, "Just tell me the main point."
◇ Below is the full text of the apology from Minister Choi Dong-seok.
As a citizen who has fiercely criticized high-ranking public officials, I sincerely apologize to those who have been hurt in their hearts by my criticism.
As a retired management scholar and further as an expert in organizational theory, I have faced various issues in our society and among high-ranking public officials and have consistently criticized to create a better Korea.
However, in that process, some rough expressions may have caused you concern. I reiterate my sincere apologies.
Now that I have become a high-ranking public official serving as the Minister of Personnel Management, it seems that the time has come for me to accept your criticisms. In the future, if I make any mistakes, I will humbly accept your criticism.
I will strive to embody the demeanor of a public official that meets the expectations of the people through more careful language and actions moving forward.