The Gyeonggi Province city of Yangju recently imposed a policy of political impartiality on its public workers, which is sparking controversy, as it includes a ban on participating in protests for or against the confirmation of suspended President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment.
The city's audit department last month issued a notice about its Dec. 17-Jan. 24 special audit on all officials working in the city government and related organizations. The audit involves an inspection of the code of conduct expected of civil servants, including political impartiality.
The demonstrations about the president were specifically mentioned as "banned activities" for public officials.
"There are disputes about interpretations of political neutrality (in the State Public Officials Act) and freedom of speech (in the Constitution), but there is concern of disciplinary actions and other disadvantages for violating political impartiality in the following case: When one participates in a rally for or against impeachment out of sheer curiosity, or as means to educate one's child about democracy," the notice said.
It went on to ban any replies expressing one's approval or disapproval of the president's impeachment.
Yoon is currently on trial for impeachment and as well as under criminal investigation for his Dec. 3 declaration of martial law and his subsequent allegedly illegal orders to his military commanders.
The Yangju and Dongducheon branches of the minor opposition Progressive Party released a statement Sunday decrying the city's actions, accusing it of violating basic rights and the freedom of speech of its officials. It raised the suspicion that the city's Mayor Kang Soo-hyun, a member of Yoon's ruling People Power Party, may have exerted his influence in the decision.
Yangju denied that the recent notice was written under orders from the city's leadership. The city officials told local media outlets that the notice was a regular warning sent out each year, saying that it has no particular intent behind it.
minsikyoon@heraldcorp.com
