KBS reports fairness concerns over officials' spouses

KBS reported that the Jeonbuk governor and Jeonju mayor for the 9th popularly elected term are working in the same local governments as their spouses. The broadcaster said voices inside and outside public service have raised concerns about fairness over that arrangement.

According to KBS, Jeonbuk Governor Lee Won-taek and Jeonju Mayor Cho Ji-hoon took part in student activism together in university and each entered politics as a basic local council member. KBS aired remarks from Cho when he was a Jeonju mayoral candidate in May, saying, 'Lee Won-taek and Cho Ji-hoon's victory is not the victory of the two candidates. It is about breaking through triple exclusion with the power of the economy and industry....'

KBS said the two officials gained another common point after both became heads of local governments: their spouses are public officials, one at department chief level in the provincial office and the other at team leader level in city hall. The broadcaster said concerns about conflicts of interest may arise regardless of their own intentions because the spouses work in the same organizations as people who hold personnel authority.

KBS reported that Lee, when he was a Jeonbuk governor candidate in May, had expressed an intention to keep distance from his spouse's workplace. Lee said, 'Because she says she wants to work, if I become governor, I think she may have to move to another institution.'

KBS said claims inside and outside public service refer to unease over private gatherings centered on local government heads' spouses, lining up, and even suspicions about personnel decisions based on personal ties. The broadcaster said some point to the case of a Jangsu County head's spouse in the 8th popularly elected term, who voluntarily left public office after her husband's inauguration to prevent fairness disputes and similar issues.

KBS said the matter cannot be forced because the Constitution guarantees freedom to choose one's occupation and the right to hold public office. The broadcaster framed the issue as how to protect fairness in public service while respecting occupational freedom.