Chungbuk governor's pick for advisor: a former police chief convicted of bribery

Chungbuk Governor Shin Hyun-han's plan to appoint Park Byung-guk, a former executive director of the Gyeonggi Market and Commercial District Promotion Agency with a history of bribery convictions, to a senior external cooperation advisor position has sparked strong opposition from civic groups. Park, 64, was previously dismissed from the police force after being convicted of bribery.

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Public office demands a higher level of integrity and morality than ordinary professions. Is appointing someone with a prison sentence and dismissal record for bribery what Governor Shin calls 'Chungbuk Transformation'? We urge you to halt the appointment and establish vetting standards and principles.

Civic group 'Fair World' issued a statement on August 10, asserting that public office demands a higher level of integrity and morality than ordinary professions. The group questioned whether appointing someone with a prison sentence and dismissal record for bribery aligns with Governor Shin's vision of 'Chungbuk Transformation.' They urged the governor to halt the appointment and establish clear criteria and principles for personnel vetting.

The appointment process itself has raised concerns about transparency. Park is reportedly the sole candidate who applied and underwent an interview for the 'Class A' external cooperation advisor role, equivalent to a Grade 2 public official. This position is in addition to the existing 'Class A' political special advisor.

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We were contacted by Park Byung-guk through the political affairs line, and he submitted the documents. He received a suitability rating in an interview with more than five external experts, and we have requested a background check from the police.

Park Byung-guk, a graduate of the Police University's first class, has a notable past. In 2012, while serving as Deputy Commissioner of the Ulsan Provincial Police Agency, he was arrested and indicted on charges of bribery under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment, etc. of Specific Crimes. In 2013, the Supreme Court upheld a sentence of two years and six months imprisonment and a fine of 15 million won, leading to his dismissal from the police. He also received a suspended sentence for obstruction of business during his tenure at the Gyeonggi Market and Commercial District Promotion Agency.

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I received the recommendation through central government connections. We will make a decisive decision if his performance does not meet expectations after checking his results during the contract period.

Governor Shin defended the appointment, stating that Park was recommended through central government connections and that his performance would be closely monitored, with decisive action taken if he failed to meet expectations. However, the Chungbuk Citizens' Coalition for Participatory Self-Government criticized this stance as deceptive to the public, warning that it could set a dangerous precedent where individuals with corruption records can attain high-ranking positions through personal connections. They reiterated their call to halt the appointment process.

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Pushing forward with an inappropriate appointment and then claiming to manage it is deceiving the public. It sets a dangerous precedent that one can reach a high position with connections even after being dismissed for public corruption. Halt the appointment process.