People Power Party lawmaker Kim Ki-hyun [Yonhap]
People Power Party lawmaker Kim Ki-hyun [Yonhap]

People Power Party lawmaker Kim Ki-hyun on Thursday called on the government to take action following the death of a Ministry of Climate, Environment and Energy official in his 30s found dead at his home, saying the case was a "man-made disaster" born of organizational indifference and a dysfunctional personnel system — and a tragedy in which the state had abandoned a young person's life.

Kim made the remarks in a Facebook post Thursday, saying he was "overcome with grief" to learn that a young talent who had entered public service to work for the country had "endured deep suffering alone before leaving this world."

He said media reports had pointed to frequent departmental transfers over a short period, an excessive workload, and signs of inappropriate conduct and gapjil — workplace abuse by those in positions of power — within the organization. "What makes this even more infuriating is the cold and senseless attitude of the current administration toward this devastating tragedy," he said.

Kim then said President Lee Jae-myung, who had "invoked the future of youth to ask for votes," and Kim Sung-hwan, the serving Democratic Party lawmaker who heads the Ministry of Climate, Environment and Energy, were "driving another nail into the hearts of the bereaved family and the public through cowardly silence." He added that President Lee and the Democratic Party staged "emotional performances, shedding tears in front of cameras as a group" when it suited them politically, but turned "cold and irresponsible when things were inconvenient for them."

Kim went on to say that President Lee and Minister Kim Sung-hwan should stop hiding behind silence and stalling while trying to minimize the incident, and instead immediately offer a sincere apology to the deceased and the bereaved family, conduct a thorough investigation, hold those responsible accountable, and take steps to prevent a recurrence. "An administration that enjoys only the sweetness of power while turning away from the responsibilities that come with it will never earn the trust of the people," he said.


mp1256@heraldcorp.com