'Female Candidates' High Heels Cause Noise Disturbance': Remarks 'Defying Common Sense' Force Apology

[Anchor]

Minister of Personnel Management Choi Dong-seok has sparked intense backlash after suggesting that shoe covers should be placed over dress shoes at civil service interview venues because the sound of footsteps causes disruptions. Even ruling party lawmakers strongly criticized the remarks as defying common sense, and Minister Choi ultimately apologized, acknowledging that his comments were inappropriate.

Reporter Son Hyeong-an reports.

[Reporter]

Minister of Personnel Management Choi Dong-seok, who had previously faced controversy over his past remarks prior to taking office.

On September 10, the Ministry of Personnel Management under his leadership announced that candidates should refrain from wearing formal suits during civil service job interviews, prohibiting neckties and formal dress shoes, and also posted a notice featuring example photos of acceptable attire.

[Youn Kun-young / Democratic Party Lawmaker: Making applicants put on shoe covers to take an interview just because they showed up in a suit or dress shoes—isn't that mindset problematic? This is turning into a comedy.]

[Choi Dong-seok / Minister of Personnel Management: When female test-takers show up in full makeup, wearing formal suits and pointed high heels, it's not as if the venue is carpeted, nor are there any noise prevention measures in place.]

Gasps and groans erupted from lawmakers at Minister Choi's answer, with one asking,

[Then are women not supposed to wear dress shoes?]

[Youn Kun-young / Democratic Party Lawmaker: The idea that high heels cause inconvenience to others really defies common sense.]

[Choi Dong-seok / Minister of Personnel Management: It's an examination venue. It's an exam site.]

[Youn Kun-young / Democratic Party Lawmaker: Can't people wear high heels to an exam venue?]

[Choi Dong-seok / Minister of Personnel Management: I am telling them to go ahead and wear them.]

[Jeong Chun-saeng / Rebuilding Korea Party Lawmaker: What does female applicants showing up in full makeup have to do with assessing competence for civil service? I believe this remark reflects a deeply inappropriate perception for a minister.]

Minister Choi responded along the lines that this dress code notice was not introduced for the first time this year, but after facing pointed criticism that this was not true, he later corrected his statement, admitting, "I answered incorrectly."

Minister Choi also subsequently apologized for his comment regarding female candidates wearing "full makeup," acknowledging it was "inappropriate."

(Video by Lee Seung-hwan and Shin Dong-hwan | Video Editing by Oh Young-taek)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.