Public employees who use hate speech against individuals or specific groups will be dismissed from their positions. Those who delay or fail to perform their duties without just cause will face disciplinary actions of at least a salary reduction.
The Ministry of Personnel Management announced on July 23 that it will propose a revision to the 'Disciplinary Regulations for Public Employees.' This revision is part of efforts to create a trustworthy public service and will take effect in October.
The proposed changes will establish disciplinary standards for hate speech. Previously, there were no specific guidelines for punishing public officials who used hate speech, making it difficult to determine appropriate penalties.
The Ministry plans to implement separate disciplinary standards, allowing for dismissals of up to 'termination' for public officials who seriously undermine their dignity through hate speech. Even public officials who receive rewards will face strict management, limiting any reduction in penalties.
Additionally, public employees who do not process tasks without justifiable reasons or who neglect their duties will receive at least a 'salary reduction' as a penalty. Previously, neglect of duty was grouped with other misconduct related to accounting irregularities. The Ministry has now separated neglect of duty into its own category and raised the minimum disciplinary standard from 'censure' to 'salary reduction.'
Neglect of duty will also have a minimum disciplinary standard of 'salary reduction.' This includes behaviors that cause inconvenience to the public or infringe on their rights, as well as actions that result in financial losses to the state.
The Ministry will also clarify supervisory responsibilities regarding neglect of duty. If a manager is found to have been negligent in their supervisory duties, they too can face disciplinary actions for neglect of duty.
Choi Dong-seok, head of the Ministry, stated, 'We will apply strict standards to public officials who evade responsibility through neglect of duty,' adding, 'We will actively work to establish a public service culture that aligns with the expectations of the public and the current era by strengthening the disciplinary standards for neglect of duty and hate speech.'
* This article has been translated by AI.
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