'Order to Hire Close Associates and Verbal Abuse Controversy' Kim Unam, Korea Racing Authority Chairman, Notified of Suspension from Duty

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] Kim Unam, chairman of the Korea Racing Authority, who caused controversy by verbally abusing an employee who refused to follow his order to hire his close aide, has been notified of a suspension from duty.

On the 30th, according to the Korea Racing Authority labor union, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, the higher authority of the Racing Authority, made the decision to suspend Chairman Kim and notified him of this fact.

Kim, a three-term lawmaker, has been under suspicion of using abusive language and verbal abuse after he took office in February and tried to hire his former parliamentary aide as a special secretary chief, but the personnel officer expressed a negative opinion. The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs conducted an audit for about a month regarding the allegations and decided to recommend dismissal earlier this month. After the objection period, the decision was finalized.

According to the Act on the Management of Public Institutions, when the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs proposes a dismissal recommendation, the Public Institution Management Committee reviews it, and the President approves the dismissal. Even after the dismissal recommendation is decided, Chairman Kim can request a reconsideration.

The Racing Authority labor union stated, "The chairman’s side should take the remaining short period after suspension as a last chance for self-reflection," and urged, "The executives should concentrate all their capabilities and will to overcome the management crisis, the biggest current issue, and to legislate online sales even in the chairman’s absence."

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