[2021 National Audit] Labor Welfare Corporation Incheon Hospital Hiring Corruption Pointed Out... "Clear Illegal Hiring"

Kim Sung-won "Shoddy Audit, Appalling"

Kang Soon-hee, President of the Korea Workers' Compensation and Welfare Service, taking the oath as a witness at the National Assembly's Environment and Labor Committee audit on the 15th in Yeouido, Seoul. (Photo by Yonhap News)

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] The issue of recruitment corruption at the Incheon Hospital of the Korea Workers' Compensation and Welfare Service, an affiliate of the Ministry of Employment and Labor, was pointed out during the National Assembly audit on the 15th.

On the same day, Kim Seong-won, a member of the Environment and Labor Committee from the People Power Party, questioned Kang Soon-ui, the chairman of the Korea Workers' Compensation and Welfare Service, about the truth behind the recruitment corruption at Incheon Hospital during the Ministry of Employment and Labor's affiliated agency audit.

Rep. Kim stated, "Clear recruitment corruption was found during the hiring process for the heads of Pediatrics, Neurosurgery, and Otorhinolaryngology departments at the Incheon Hospital," and added, "Furthermore, there was evidence of protecting insiders involved."

He continued, "Contrary to internal recruitment regulations, interviews were conducted solely by the hospital director without external interviewers or observers present (Otorhinolaryngology, Pediatrics), or only internal staff conducted the interviews (Neurosurgery)," criticizing it as "blatant unfair hiring."

According to the disciplinary actions taken by the Service after an audit, the punishments were limited to suspensions of 1, 2, and 3 months and warnings. The audit report included the phrase, "There is little possibility of employees' involvement in improper requests."

Rep. Kim raised his voice, saying, "There was intentional misconduct and falsification of documents, yet the punishment was extremely lenient," and added, "What is even more outrageous is that the police investigation was requested only on October 8, 100 days after the audit was completed, after our office repeatedly requested the materials. Was there an attempt to cover it up?"

He said, "I can only be appalled by this awareness," and declared, "I will file a complaint against the auditor for dereliction of duty."

In response to Rep. Kim's question, "Why were the recruitment procedures not followed according to regulations?" Chairman Kang replied, "Probably due to the doctor supply situation."

Regarding criticism of the lenient punishment, he explained, "We have decided to immediately dismiss the hospital director responsible for personnel," and added, "The Ministry of Employment and Labor is currently reviewing the entire recruitment process."

Rep. Kim requested a Ministry-level investigation, suggesting that similar corruption might exist in other Service hospitals.

Park Seong-hee, Director of Planning and Coordination at the Ministry of Employment and Labor, said, "We will look into the recruitment-related matters."

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