Corrupt Public Officials to be Dismissed without Approval for Resignation

Public officials who commit unlawful deeds such as receiving bribery during their tenure will now be dismissed from their posts before their resignations are accepted.

The Ministry of Government and Home Affairs (MOGHA) announced on October 20 their plans to legislate a presidential directive against the submission of resignation from public officials who carry out irregularities before the official legal procedures are concluded in order to evade dismissal.

This plan is in accord with President Roh Moo-hyun’s order given on September 2 to “consider ways to revoke certain privileges given to retired public servants such as the pensions given in the form of retirement funds even after their resignation if they’re found guilty of illicit deeds performed during their tenure.”

While a dismissed public official on charges of irregularities receives only half of the regular pension or retirement benefits, those who resign before the dismissal are granted full retirement pay or pensions up to now.

Many government offices made ill-use of this fact to have their employees who were caught with irregularities submit their resignations instead of discharging them from their positions.

MOGHA stated, “A number of public officials had deeds that were deemed heavy enough to be dismissed by the disciplinary committee,” and added, “When the directive is legislated, the involved office shall not accept the resignation submitted by public officials who committed irregularities while under investigation by the police or the prosecution.”

Hyun-Doo Lee ruchi@donga.com