Controversy is mounting in Pohang, North Gyeongsang Province, after the city moved to appoint a close associate of a specific politician to a senior policy adviser post — a Grade 4 position — drawing sharp pushback from Democratic Party of Korea lawmakers on the city council.
Nine Democratic Party members of the Pohang City Council issued a statement Thursday saying they were "concerned about the rumors of a predetermined appointment and the political controversy surrounding the process of converting the political affairs adviser post into a policy adviser post."
They added that "Pohang City should transparently disclose to citizens the role, qualification criteria and reasons for appointing the policy adviser in order to dispel the controversy over a predetermined pick," and called on the mayor to "appoint the policy adviser based on political neutrality and fair personnel principles, not on personal ties to a specific politician."
The Pohang branch of the Korean Government Employees' Union's North Gyeongsang chapter also issued a statement Thursday, expressing concern that the policy adviser post "must not be used as a reward for political loyalty rather than as a policy coordinator serving citizens."
The union called on the city to "halt the appointment of a policy adviser that is fueling controversy over political patronage" and urged Pohang to "hire a policy expert who can promote civic unity and improve the lives of residents."
kbj7653@heraldcorp.com
