KBS reports fairness concerns over spouses in local offices

KBS reported that the Jeonbuk governor and Jeonju mayor of the 9th elected local administration are serving in the same local governments where their spouses also work. The report said the arrangement has led to fairness concerns inside and outside the public sector.

According to KBS, Jeonbuk Governor Lee Won-taek and Jeonju Mayor Cho Ji-hoon were both involved in student activism in college and entered politics as basic-level council members. The broadcaster said the two have also emphasized their ties and friendship.

KBS quoted Cho, then a Jeonju mayoral candidate, as saying in May, 'The victory of Lee Won-taek and Cho Ji-hoon is not a victory for the two candidates. It is about breaking through triple alienation with the power of the economy and industry...' KBS said their shared path was followed by another point in common: their spouses hold posts at the provincial office and city hall, respectively, at section-chief level and team-leader level.

The report said concerns over conflicts of interest can arise because each official works with a spouse who holds personnel authority, regardless of the spouses' own intentions. KBS also quoted Lee, then a Jeonbuk gubernatorial candidate, as saying in May, 'She says she wants to work, so if I become governor, I think she may have to move to another institution.'

KBS reported that some inside and outside the public sector claim there is unease over talk of private gatherings centered on spouses of local government heads, attempts to line up, and even personnel suspicions tied to personal connections. The report said some cite the spouse of the Jangsu County head in the 8th elected local administration, who voluntarily left public service after her husband took office to block fairness disputes and similar issues.

KBS said such a move cannot be forced because the Constitution guarantees the freedom to choose an occupation and the right to hold public office. The broadcaster framed the remaining issue as how to protect fairness in public administration while respecting freedom to choose an occupation.