Seoul: The foreign ministry: has announced the cancellation of the hiring of the daughter of former Prosecutor General Shim Woo-jung for a researcher position, following allegations of preferential treatment during the recruitment process.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the ministry informed the applicant via email on May 29 that her final job offer was rescinded after a review conducted by a recruitment inspection committee. The decision was made in compliance with relevant laws and procedures after it was determined that she did not meet the qualifications specified in the recruitment notice.
The ministry has also called for disciplinary action against officials involved in the recruitment process and has referred the case to the government's Central Disciplinary Committee. Details on the specific actions to be taken were not disclosed.
Shim's daughter had applied for a non-civil service researcher position at the Korea National Diplomatic Academy under the ministry in February last year. She successfully passed the document screening, written test, and interview stages. However, allegations surfaced that her work experience was exaggerated and that documents were submitted after the application deadline.
Opposition lawmakers voiced suspicions of possible preferential treatment in the recruitment process while her father held the position of the country's top prosecutor. This controversy led the ministry to delay the final decision on her hiring in April last year, as they sought an audit from the Board of Audit and Inspection.