"'Can't even click Like'... Controversy over Political Neutrality of Public Officials Ahead of Election Season"

Jeonggyojo and Jeonggongno Hold Press Conference on 'Guaranteeing Political Basic Rights'
Voices Heard in International Community Since 2006
"Only Acts Directly Related to Official Duties Should Be Restricted"

As early voting for the 22nd general election begins, voices are growing louder within the public sector demanding the protection of political fundamental rights. The reason is that, compared to overseas, not only party membership but also freedom of political expression is excessively suppressed. With international recommendations continuing to urge the protection of political freedoms for Korean public officials and teachers, attention is focused on whether this will lead to future legal amendments.

On the 5th, teachers' and public officials' unions issued statements consecutively demanding the protection of political fundamental rights. They emphasized that fundamental rights are excessively restricted, such as being punished just for clicking 'like' on SNS. In fact, one public official received a 'warning and minor disciplinary action' for violating the duty of political neutrality by commenting on and clicking 'like' on posts related to election candidates.

On the 5th, when early voting for the 22nd National Assembly election began, a voter at the Naegok-dong early voting station set up at the Naegok-dong Open Culture Center in Seocho-gu, Seoul, is receiving a ballot paper. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

The Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union held a press conference in front of the National Assembly the day before, criticizing, "Students being taught can join political parties and run for the National Assembly, but it is absurd that teachers who cannot engage in politics have to teach politically active students." The Korean Government Employees' Union also proposed related election policies, stating, "The government is comprehensively restricting the political fundamental rights of public officials to a degree rarely seen in any democracy."

Current law stipulates the 'political neutrality' of public officials and places certain restrictions on political participation. Article 7 of the Constitution states, "The status and political neutrality of public officials shall be guaranteed as prescribed by law." Under the Public Official Election Act, Political Parties Act, and National Public Officials Act, public officials are prohibited from joining political parties or support groups, and their freedom of political expression, including support or expression of opinions related to elections or candidates, is restricted.

Previously, the international community pointed out that political activities of Korean public officials and teachers are excessively restricted. The National Human Rights Commission in 2006, the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression in 2011, and the ILO Committee of Experts on the Application of Conventions and Recommendations in 2015 all recommended sufficiently guaranteeing the political freedoms of public officials. Especially, the complete ban on public officials joining political parties is rare among foreign countries. The UK, the US, France, Japan, and Germany do not restrict public officials from joining political parties.

Accordingly, there are also claims that the excessively restricted parts should be relaxed through legal amendments. Legislative researcher Kim Seon-hwa published 'Political Freedom and Election Neutrality Duty of Public Officials' and suggested, "A blanket ban on basic political activities is constitutionally undesirable," adding, "It is time to consider shifting to a method that restricts only acts directly related to the performance of official duties."

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