As North Chungcheong Province has nominated a former senior police executive who previously was sentenced to prison and served time on bribery charges as External Cooperation Aide (equivalent to Grade 2), it has additionally come to light that he had been suspended from duty in the past over a profanity controversy.

On the 6th, North Chungcheong Provincial Assembly member Kim Kkot-im revealed in a press release, “I confirmed that nominee Park Byeong-guk was suspended from duty in 2021 while serving as an executive director at the Gyeonggi Province Market Promotion Agency, after becoming embroiled in an obstruction of business incident involving abusive language at a cafe in Gyeonggi Province.”

According to Rep. Kim, when a cafe owner in Yongin refused his request for beverage delivery, Park caused a disturbance with profanities and was booked on suspicion of obstruction of business, ultimately receiving a suspension of indictment. Park, who had been suspended from duty over the incident, is said to have submitted his resignation as the controversy grew.

Rep. Kim said, “Even the performance bonus paid to Park after his suspension was cited as improper in Gyeonggi Province’s 2023 comprehensive audit, which ordered its recovery,” adding, “On top of the bribery case, a record like this would subject him to strict vetting even in private-sector hiring.”

Rep. Kim also criticized the province for invoking ‘securing national funds and external cooperation’ as justification.

He pointed out, “Nowhere in the province’s statement is concrete evidence presented of what achievements nominee Park has delivered vis--vis the central government,” adding, “Rather, by suggesting that opposing this appointment would hinder the securing of national funds, it can come across as shifting responsibility onto critics and intimidating residents.”

He continued, “Although nominee Park has said through the media that he has engaged in soul-searching for the past 15 years, we cannot help but question the sincerity,” urging, “Governor Shin Yong-han of North Chungcheong should immediately halt the appointment process, personally explain to residents the background of this hiring amid the controversy, and apologize.”

Park is a former Senior Superintendent General. While serving in the police, he was arrested and indicted on charges of receiving tens of millions of won in cash and entertainment from a businessman, and in 2013 his sentence of two years and six months in prison was finalized. After being released in 2015, he served as vice president of Kona I and head of its China subsidiary. He also served as an executive director at the Gyeonggi Province Market Promotion Agency during President Lee’s tenure as Gyeonggi governor.

As these facts became known during North Chungcheong Province’s push to appoint Park as an aide, fierce criticism has continued in the local community. On the 6th, the Chungbuk Citizens Solidarity for Participatory Autonomy issued a statement condemning Park’s appointment, saying, “What civil society is asking about is not post-appointment management but the propriety of the appointment itself.”

It went on to urge a halt to the appointment, stating, “Even as North Chungcheong Province says it takes residents’ criticism seriously, it is proceeding with the hiring process as is,” and warning, “If principles of personnel management are lowered on the grounds of fiscal difficulties and securing national funds, it will set a dangerous precedent that ‘even if you are dismissed for public office corruption, you can reach a high position as long as you have connections’.”

Regarding this controversy, Governor Shin Yong-han has indicated he will press ahead with the appointment.

Governor Shin said, “I was recommended nominee Park through central-level connections, and through multiple channels I confirmed he is someone who can contribute to North Chungcheong,” adding, “The moral issues are certainly matters that deserve criticism and deep reflection, but after the appointment I will directly check what results he produces during the one-year contract period, and if he fails to meet expectations, I will make a firm decision.”