Jeon Nam-do Councilor Lim Jong-gi Points Out 'Inverted Priorities in New Public Officials Training'

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Hyung-kwon] Im Jong-gi, a member of the Jeollanam-do Provincial Council (Democratic Party of Korea·Suncheon 2), raised questions regarding the training of new public officials in Jeollanam-do and history textbooks for proper historical awareness during the 3rd plenary session of the 341st extraordinary meeting on the 20th.

Councilor Im Jong-gi pointed out issues with the appointment and training schedule of new public officials in Jeollanam-do, stating, “The new public officials who passed the exam announced on September 8, 2017, received their training not on September 18 as scheduled, but in two sessions on October 27 and November 27. In 2019, although the successful candidates were announced on August 29, there was a training session dated August 19 in the training schedule.”

He continued, “From 2016 to 2019, there is a significant discrepancy between the planned number of trainees and the actual training results over nine sessions of annual new employee training.” He also pointed out “the problem of new public official training being conducted almost every month throughout the year except January.”

He criticized, “Such training programs have turned into situations where trainees receive on-the-job training first and then attend training courses, effectively reversing the purpose of the training institute from training for trainees to training for the institute itself.”

Councilor Im emphasized, “Among the numerous training programs, new employee training is the first and last education for public officials, serving as basic training to fulfill their roles as leaders of the people and the nation.” He stressed, “All successful candidates for the public official exam in Jeollanam-do must enter the training center on the same day without exception.”

To this end, he proposed, “After the opening of the public official training center being built in Gangjin, the training should be improved so that new public officials can receive basic training together. If opportunity costs are high, it is also necessary to consider using Namdo University’s summer vacation in Damyang County.”

He also mentioned the restoration project of Jeonlagamyeong (Jeonbuk Province) and pointed out that the Nanjung Ilgi, which is cited as the source of the “Yakmu Honam Simu Gukga” monument, is incorrect, requesting that Jeonbuk Province correct the error.

Additionally, he raised the situation in eastern Jeonnam where residents face inconvenience transferring at Iksan when traveling to Suseo due to the exclusion of the SRT Jeolla Line, demanding that if it is difficult for the KTX to go to Suseo, a plan to transfer trains at Iksan be devised.

In response, Governor Kim Young-rok said, “The idea of transferring SRT train cars is an excellent one, and I will propose it to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.” He added, “Regarding the basic training for new public officials together, we will create a plan, consult, and implement it. We will also work on practical alternatives for designating the training officer as Grade 7.”

In the subsequent Jeonnam Office of Education’s provincial questions, three essential elements not to be omitted in the history of overcoming the Imjin War were presented as “Geobukseon (turtle ship), Yakmu Honam Simu Gukga, and Imran Uibyungdo (Imjin War militia map),” emphasizing history education for proper historical awareness.

To this end, it was requested that the “Yakmu Honam Simu Gukga” be included in textbooks used in elementary and secondary education curricula.

Meanwhile, Councilor Im Jong-gi had repeatedly pointed out the omission of the Imjin War’s major battles and militia leaders “Go Gyeong-myeong and Kim Cheon-il” in the Jihaksa history textbook (2009 revised curriculum) through provincial questions (326th session) and five-minute speeches. He continuously raised the issue with Jihaksa Publishing, resulting in the inclusion of this content in the 2020 Jihaksa history textbook (2015 revised curriculum).

Furthermore, the Northeast Asia History Peace Park project, which he proposed at the public hearing for the South Coast Development Comprehensive Plan amendment last August, has been incorporated into the national plan and is currently underway.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.