A Model Walking on the Runway... Turns Out to Be a Ministry of National Defense Official

Fashion Model Activities for Over a Year Without Dual Employment Permission
Ministry of National Defense: "Will Take Strict Action After Fact Verification"

An 8th-grade public official affiliated with the Ministry of National Defense has caused controversy after it was revealed that they had been working as a fashion model for over a year without permission for concurrent employment.

According to a YTN report on the 21st, Mr. A, who has participated in several fashion shows including Seoul Fashion Week, was identified as an 8th-grade public official under the Ministry of National Defense. The media reported that Mr. A has a social media (SNS) account with over 10,000 followers, and his colleagues are well aware of his activities as a model.

Mr. A’s fellow public officials even left work early to watch his modeling activities in person. In response, Mr. A posted a thank-you comment on the supportive messages left by his colleagues on SNS, saying, "Thank you for leaving early and coming."

The photo is not related to the specific content of the article. [Image source=Pixabay]

The problem, however, is that Mr. A engaged in modeling activities for over a year without obtaining permission for concurrent employment.

According to Article 25 of the National Public Officials Service Regulations, public officials are generally prohibited from engaging in continuous profit-making work for financial gain. However, concurrent employment may be permitted with approval unless it is likely to reduce the efficiency of official duties, unduly affect official work, result in conflicting interests with national interests, or bring dishonor to the government.

Mr. A explained to YTN, "I applied for permission for concurrent employment when I started modeling last year, but the approval has not yet been granted." Furthermore, he claims that the income generated from modeling is minimal, so he considers it more of a hobby than a profit-making activity. It is known that he has participated in fashion shows since October last year. Based on this, he has been working as a model for at least over a year without the approval of his affiliated institution.

The Ministry of National Defense stated that it will take strict measures after verifying the facts regarding Mr. A.

Meanwhile, there have been recent cases where public officials engaged in inappropriate concurrent employment activities, such as internet broadcasting BJ, causing problems.

Last month, it was revealed that Ms. B, a woman in her 20s and a 7th-grade administrative officer affiliated with a central government ministry, conducted internet broadcasts exposing parts of her body during work hours and was disciplined with a three-month suspension. Ms. B’s broadcasts included acts of exposing her body in the office and changing clothes in the restroom, and she was seen wearing her public official ID around her neck, partially revealing her department’s organization. Initially, Ms. B’s department was unaware of her actions, but an audit was launched after a report was filed through the People’s Petition system. Ms. B recently completed her disciplinary period but is currently on sick leave and not coming to the office.

Prior to this, Mr. C, a 7th-grade administrative officer with investigative authority and a special judicial police officer affiliated with another ministry, was also caught working as an adult internet broadcast BJ. Mr. C is under audit for violations including professional ethics, the duty to maintain dignity under the Public Officials Act, and the principle of prohibition of concurrent employment under the National Public Officials Service Regulations.

Additionally, 'Gwedo,' a well-known science content YouTuber, was found to have earned money through broadcasting and lectures while working as an employee of the Korea Foundation for the Advancement of Science and Creativity under the Ministry of Science and ICT, and was disciplined with suspension. Gwedo subsequently resigned from the foundation.

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