Dismissal of Jo Hyun-jang, Director of the Health Promotion Development Institute Appointed by Previous Government

Cho Hyun-jang, Former Director of the Korea Health Promotion Institute Photo by Yonhap News

It was recently revealed that Cho Hyun-jang, former director of the Korea Health Promotion Institute appointed during the previous administration, was dismissed on the 19th.

According to government officials on the 23rd, the reasons for Cho's dismissal were "damage to dignity" and "violation of official duties." This was confirmed after a report of sexual harassment and workplace bullying by Cho was received by the Prime Minister's Office, which conducted an initial investigation, followed by a special audit by the Ministry of Health and Welfare in April. Accordingly, the Ministry of Health and Welfare notified the Health Promotion Institute of the dismissal recommendation, and the institute held a board meeting to approve the dismissal request.

Cho is reportedly opposing the dismissal and is considering filing an administrative lawsuit. The Ministry of Health and Welfare maintains that "the reasons for dismissal are clear."

Some have speculated that the dismissal was linked to the Health Promotion Institute receiving an "E (very poor)" rating in the 2022 government management evaluation, leading to the removal of the head of the institution; however, government officials state that this is unrelated.

Cho, a medical doctor who graduated from Pusan National University College of Medicine, took office as director of the Health Promotion Institute in August 2021. He was unable to complete his original term, which was set to end in August 2024.

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