**Key Aide Who Led the Official Residence Relocation Faces Discipline by the Board of Audit and Inspection**
Despite Disciplinary Action, Rumors Circulate About Appointment as President of Korea Airports Corporation
A notable figure involved in the relocation of the official presidential residence is currently under scrutiny by the Board of Audit and Inspection (BAI) for disciplinary reasons, yet there are circulating rumors of his potential appointment as the president of Korea Airports Corporation.
On the 21st, during a meeting between President Yoon Suk-yeol and People Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon, there was reportedly a clash of opinions regarding appointments in public institutions. Han mentioned specific individuals, insisting, “You must not appoint them. Everyone is waiting to attack over this issue,” but President Yoon reportedly responded, “Has any wrongdoing been confirmed?” implying he did not accept Han’s advice.
One of the individuals Han alluded to is Kim Oh-jin, who is rumored to be under consideration for the presidency of Korea Airports Corporation. Kim had significant roles under the current government, serving as a management secretary at the presidential office, overseeing the relocation of the president’s office and residence. He was promoted to Vice Minister of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport and even ran for election during the party primary this year.
When Kim applied for the position of president of Korea Airports Corporation, a public company under the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport, it was widely assumed in bureaucratic circles that his appointment was a given. His government experience and relationship with the president purportedly left him without substantial competition. As expected, Kim made the shortlist of five candidates, pending review and verification by the Ministry of Economy and Finance’s Public Institutions Operation Committee and a presidential appointment.
However, the issue lies in the disciplinary action Kim faced from the BAI during the selection process. The BAI audited the construction related to the relocation of the presidential offices and residences, identifying numerous violations of law, and on the 12th of last month, advised the presidential office to report Kim’s misconduct to the Ministry of Personnel Management. Although the official facing disciplinary action had already left office, the intention was to record this so that any future appointments would consider this history.
The appointment of core aides to public enterprise posts using parachute tactics is not unprecedented in previous administrations. However, even these instances adhered to basic standards. In Kim Oh-jin’s case, the president holds the power of appointment, but disregarding judgments from the top national audit institution may invite criticism for failing to uphold even the minimal standards for ‘parachute appointments.’