[Anchor]

Choi Dong-seok, Minister of Personnel Management, sparked intense backlash after suggesting that shoe covers should be worn at civil service interview sites because the clicking noise of shoes is distracting. Even ruling party lawmakers strongly criticized his remarks as defying common sense, prompting Choi to eventually apologize, admitting his comments were inappropriate.

Reporter Son Hyeong-an reports.

[Reporter]

Choi Dong-seok, Minister of Personnel Management, had previously stirred controversy with past remarks prior to taking office.

The Ministry of Personnel Management, which he leads, announced on September 10 that applicants should refrain from wearing business suits for civil service job interviews, banning neckties and dress shoes, and also posted a notice with sample photos of attire.

[Rep. Yoon Kun-young / Democratic Party: "Forcing applicants to put on shoe covers for an interview just because they showed up in a suit and dress shoes—isn't there something wrong with this way of thinking? This is turning into a complete farce."]

[Choi Dong-seok / Minister of Personnel Management: "If female test-takers show up in full makeup, wearing suits and pointed high heels, the venue isn't carpeted, nor is there any noise prevention measure in place."]

Deep sighs erupted from lawmakers across the room at Minister Choi's answer,

["Does that mean women shouldn't wear dress shoes?"]

[Rep. Yoon Kun-young / Democratic Party: "The notion that high heels cause discomfort to others truly defies common sense."]

[Choi Dong-seok / Minister of Personnel Management: "I'm telling you, it's a test site. A test site."]

[Rep. Yoon Kun-young / Democratic Party: "Can't people wear high heels to a test site?"]

[Choi Dong-seok / Minister of Personnel Management: "I'm saying they can wear them."]

[Rep. Jeong Chun-saeng / Rebuilding Korea Party: "What does female applicants wearing full makeup have to do with assessing public service competence? As minister, I believe your remarks reflect an extremely inappropriate perception."]

Choi initially responded to the effect that this dress code notice was not the first of its kind this year, but lawmakers pointed out that this was untrue, leading him to later correct his statement, saying he had "answered incorrectly."

Choi also belatedly apologized for his remarks regarding "female applicants wearing full makeup," stating they were "inappropriate."

(Video by Lee Seung-hwan and Shin Dong-hwan | Video Editing by Oh Young-taek)