The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced today (October 6) that it will conduct a comprehensive, full-scale inspection into the employment status of relatives across all affiliated public institutions, following allegations of hiring irregularities and lenient disciplinary actions at the Korea Gas Safety Corporation.

According to audit data submitted by the corporation to Representative Choi Su-jin of the ruling People Power Party—a member of the National Assembly's Trade, Industry, Energy, SMEs, and Startups Committee—an official identified as A, who served as the head of human resources, failed to report within the statutory deadline that their child applied for an open recruitment process in September of last year.

Despite confirming this through its internal audit, the corporation merely issued a minor disciplinary action.

In response, the Ministry stated, "We view this matter with utmost seriousness and will conduct a thorough investigation into the audit process and the appropriateness of the disciplinary measures taken by the Korea Gas Safety Corporation. If any flawed audits or lenient penalties are found, we plan to hold those responsible strictly accountable."

Additionally, the Ministry plans to launch a full inspection across all supervised public institutions regarding the hiring status of executives' and employees' relatives, as well as whether potential conflicts of interest were properly reported.

Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Kim Jeong-gwan stated on his Facebook page the previous day, "With the mindset of job-seeking young people and their families, we will eradicate hiring irregularities from their roots," adding, "We will do our utmost to protect fairness and trust in public institution recruitment."

(Photo: Yonhap News)