27 South Korean Officials Disciplined for Misconduct, Including Misuse of Public Cars and Bonuses

A recent inspection by South Korea's Ministry of the Interior and Safety has uncovered significant breaches of public service ethics, leading to disciplinary actions against 27 local government officials. The crackdown, conducted during the 2025 summer vacation period and the Chuseok holiday, revealed 12 cases of misconduct, highlighting a concerning lapse in public officials' adherence to regulations and ethical standards.

Among the most prominent violations was the private use of public vehicles. One official, identified as Mr. A, was found to have used an official car for personal reasons on 17 occasions between 2023 and last year. These uses included driving his children to school, attending swimming lessons, personal evening appointments, and commuting. Furthermore, Mr. A improperly used a public swimming pool, avoiding fees and even allowing acquaintances to use the facility on his days off, while also neglecting his duty to properly supervise vehicle log entries.

Other serious offenses included drinking alcohol during duty shifts. Official B was caught consuming alcohol while on duty, having left his post unattended to have dinner with a colleague. Official C also engaged in drinking during his shift, purchasing alcohol from a convenience store and consuming it with a colleague after his shift ended. These actions directly contravene public service regulations that prohibit leaving duty posts and consuming alcohol while on duty.

Additionally, the inspection uncovered instances of improper management of employee bonuses. A director-level official, Mr. E, collected a total of 2.4 million won from employees who received bonuses, redistributing the funds in an irregular manner. A section chief, Mr. F, ordered the redistribution of bonuses collected by different teams for their participation in tax collection efforts, and a team leader, Mr. G, provided a portion of these recovered funds to Mr. E. The ministry has called for severe disciplinary measures against these officials, alongside warnings and corrective actions for others involved in negligence and misconduct.