What Is Causing the Prolonged Vacancy of the Seoul Institute of Technology Director Position?

Seong Heumje, Chair of the Seoul Metropolitan Council's Urban Safety and Construction Committee, Emphasizes "Urgent Appointment of Research Institute Director Needed for Stable Operation of Research Organization"

[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] The Seoul Metropolitan Council's Urban Safety and Construction Committee (Chairman Seong Heumje · photo) reviewed the organizational status and the progress on the vacancy of the Seoul Institute of Technology director during the administrative audit under the jurisdiction of the Seoul Institute of Technology at the 303rd regular session, and strongly criticized the related recruitment procedures and processes.

Although the term of former director Ko In-seok of the Seoul Institute of Technology expired on October 8, the position of the director of the Institute remains vacant, and it is unclear when the related recruitment procedures will be conducted.

Additionally, the staff status has long been in a state of 11 vacancies compared to the authorized number of personnel.

The committee stated that despite the former director having sufficient time to appoint a successor before his retirement, the recruitment process has been delayed to this extent, which cannot be considered normal. They pointedly expressed strong suspicion that the delay might be intentional to make a politically favorable appointment aligned with Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon's preferences.

Chairman Seong Heumje strongly urged that since the Seoul Institute of Technology is an institution expected to play a role in improving citizens' safety and quality of life through technological innovation, the recruitment procedures for the director and staff should proceed promptly to enable normal operation.

The Seoul Institute of Technology was established in March 2018 as a Seoul Metropolitan Government-funded research institute with the purpose of conducting comprehensive and systematic research on various technology policies related to city administration, initiated by the late former Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon.

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