A Gyeongnam Provincial Officer Dismissed for Civil Servant Union Activities Reinstated After 17 Years

Lee Byungha, Administrative Officer: "We must move forward to reform the public service and strive together as one to be among the people."

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Saeyan] On the 25th, a 'Dismissed Public Officials Reinstatement Welcome Event' was held, organized by the Gyeongnam Provincial Government Employees' Union.

Officer Lee Byungha was dismissed in November 2004 due to his union activities while working as a public official union member and was reinstated on the 12th of this month.

Employees gathered in front of the central entrance of the provincial government building to welcome Officer Lee Byungha with balloons and bouquets.

At the welcome ceremony, Officer Lee said, "I went to work this morning and greeted the departments as I went around. It has been 17 years. Seeing the employees makes my heart ache. I wish I had come earlier. I hope to get closer to the employees by working closely together during the remaining period."

He continued, "I started labor activism because I hated hearing words like corrupt officials and desk administration associated with public officials. When the public officials' union first started, the slogan was 'Eradication of Corruption in the Public Officials Society.' We must all unite and strive to move forward for reforming the public service society and to be together with the people," he expressed his reflections.

Governor Kim, who attended the event, comforted him by saying, "You have endured a long time," and added, "I am glad that the path to reinstatement and restoration of honor has finally opened. I feel once again that history progresses; although there may be setbacks or reactions, it is gradually moving forward."

Meanwhile, following the passage of the 'Special Act on the Reinstatement of Dismissed Public Officials Related to Public Officials' Labor Unions' in the National Assembly last December and its enforcement in April, restoration of honor has become possible.

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