Hwang Kyo-ik: "I am a job seeker aiming to work at Gyeonggi Tourism Organization... Famous but just a worker"

"Inakyeon Side Claims Pro-Japanese Frame Used to Cut Off My Career Life"

Taste columnist Hwang Kyo-ik. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] Hwang Kyo-ik (59), a food columnist embroiled in controversy over a 'favoritism appointment' after being nominated as president of the Gyeonggi Tourism Organization, referred to himself on the 19th as a "job seeker trying to get hired as president of the Gyeonggi Tourism Organization" and questioned, "Is the Republic of Korea really a democratic republic?"

On that day, Hwang wrote on his Facebook, "It was really a long time since I last wrote a self-introduction letter. I even wrote a plan on how to manage the Gyeonggi Tourism Organization. I think I focused on it for about four days. My heart was pounding as I submitted the documents online," he said.

He recalled, "When I received the acceptance notice a few days later, I was very happy but did not show it to my family. I wore a suit, tie, and shoes. I was very nervous during the interview," adding, "I was so nervous that I don't even remember how many interviewers there were."

Photo by Hwang Kyo-ik, screenshot from Facebook.

He continued, "The recruitment process for the president of the Gyeonggi Tourism Organization is no different from any other job application process. You see the job announcement, submit documents, and take exams. Since it is a public enterprise, there is an additional hearing procedure by the council representing the residents," explaining, "I passed up to the second round, and the final third round remains."

Hwang also questioned, "If you have secured a job position with great effort, would you give it up if several people demanded you to do so because of political differences? Would you unlawfully give up your rights?"

Furthermore, he criticized, "Although I am famous, I am just a worker. I make a living through writing, so I call myself a 'professional writer.' Politicians are telling me not to give up my rights as a worker."

Later that day, Hwang posted again, stating, "I am a supporter of the Democratic Party of Korea, and the only political figure I support is President Moon Jae-in," and claimed, "The controversy about me was triggered by the Lee Nak-yeon camp. They framed me as pro-Japanese to end my professional life."

He added, "The incident started when a prominent Democratic Party presidential candidate, who even served as Prime Minister, verbally attacked a Democratic Party supporter by calling them 'pro-Japanese.' The Lee Nak-yeon camp crossed the line first. If they apologize first, I will apologize too."

Meanwhile, recently, Gyeonggi Province stirred controversy by nominating Hwang as the new president of the Gyeonggi Tourism Organization, a position vacant since December last year.

There have been suspicions that Hwang lacks expertise in the tourism field and that his nomination is a 'favoritism appointment' because he defended Governor Lee Jae-myung of Gyeonggi Province amid the 'brother-in-law curse controversy.' However, the Gyeonggi Province side explained the nomination background by saying, "It was judged based on expertise and other factors."

Whether Hwang will be appointed will be finally decided through a personnel hearing scheduled at the provincial council on the 30th. If the personnel hearing report is adopted by the council, Governor Lee will appoint Hwang as president for a three-year term in early next month.

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