Jang Hwikuk, Gwangju Superintendent of Education's Relative, Controversy Over 'Outstanding Public Official' Award Just One Year After Transfer

Society Without Academic Background Group Claims 'Reasonable Doubt' Over Packaging Award Non-Disclosure Change

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] A civic group has raised "reasonable suspicion" after a relative of Jang Hwikuk, Superintendent of Gwangju Metropolitan Office of Education, who was previously involved in a personnel exchange controversy, received a Superintendent's Commendation just one year after transferring.

According to the Citizens' Group for a Society Without Academic Elitism on the 18th, an analysis of the "2019 First Half Outstanding Public Official Superintendent Commendation Candidate Evaluation Data" revealed that A, a relative of Superintendent Jang, received the Outstanding Public Official Superintendent Commendation.

The Society for a Society Without Academic Elitism stated, "No one should suffer disadvantages such as commendations or promotions simply because they are related to the superintendent," but added, "However, considering A's extremely short tenure at the Gwangju Metropolitan Office of Education, it is questionable whether A could have been recommended by the head of the institution for outstanding achievements over other public officials within the institution."

They continued, "In the affiliated institution where A worked, only four people received the Outstanding Public Official Commendation in the past 10 years (2010?2020), and the institution is considered a 'low-profile post' in the public service due to its low difficulty of work," emphasizing, "Under these circumstances, receiving the Outstanding Public Official award within just one year of transfer, an honor given to only about 30 out of approximately 1,600 local public officials in the Gwangju Metropolitan Office of Education annually, cannot help but raise reasonable suspicion."

During the process of verifying these suspicions, it was also pointed out that the Gwangju Metropolitan Office of Education changed the commendation register, which was originally disclosed on its homepage, to non-disclosure.

The group added, "They are showing suspicious behavior as if trying to hide tricks related to the commendation of Superintendent Jang Hwikuk's nephew by also withholding related information such as the results of the commendation review committee meetings."

Finally, they demanded, "The Gwangju Metropolitan Office of Education should audit the fairness of the commendation and transparently resolve the public's suspicions."

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