Court Rules "'Sewol Ferry Undine Favoritism Allegation' Disciplinary Action Against Former Coast Guard Deputy Chief Choi Sang-hwan Is Unfair"

[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Cho] A court ruling has found that the disciplinary action against Choi Sang-hwan, former Deputy Commissioner of the Korea Coast Guard, related to preferential treatment allegations involving 'Undine,' the company responsible for the Sewol ferry disaster rescue operations, was unjust.

The Seoul Administrative Court, Administrative Division 7 (Presiding Judge Kim Guk-hyun) partially ruled in favor of Choi in his lawsuit against the Korea Coast Guard Commissioner seeking cancellation of a salary reduction penalty. The court stated, "Although the plaintiff violated the duty of integrity and damaged the dignity of a public official by receiving holiday gifts from the company, the prolonged work gap caused by investigations and trials cannot be attributed to the plaintiff." The court further explained, "Considering that Choi was acquitted in the criminal trial regarding the preferential treatment allegations, as well as his length of service and awards, the severe disciplinary action was an abuse of discretion."

Previously, Choi faced allegations of granting preferential treatment to Undine, which had given holiday gifts worth approximately 1 million KRW over seven occasions during the 2014 Sewol ferry disaster. As a result, he was penalized with a one-month salary reduction by the Coast Guard. In February of last year, he was dismissed by presidential approval following a recommendation from the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries. The reasons for dismissal included the abnormal operation of the Coast Guard due to a work gap of about five years and four months caused by Choi, and allegations of accepting gifts from Undine.

On the 11th, Choi was acquitted by the Supreme Court regarding the preferential treatment allegations involving Undine. Separately, he was also tried for professional negligence resulting in death for failing to take proper initial measures during the Sewol ferry disaster, which led to passenger fatalities, but was acquitted in the first trial last month.

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