Conflict Over Appointment of Busan Infrastructure Corporation Chairperson... Union: "A Parachute Appointment with No Expertise"

[Financial News] Tensions with the labor union continue over the appointment of the chairperson of the Busan Infrastructure Corporation. The dispute stems from criticism that final nominee Kim Myung-soo has no experience working for a facilities-related public corporation and is therefore an unqualified appointee.
The Busan Infrastructure Corporation labor union held a press conference in the briefing room of the Busan Metropolitan Council on the afternoon of the 21st and called on Busan to immediately withdraw its nomination of Kim Myung-soo as the new chairperson.
At the press conference, the union declared, "What the chairperson of the Busan Infrastructure Corporation needs is not a political background, but the expertise and management capabilities to take responsibility for facilities and public safety."
In particular, the union stressed, "The chairperson's post is not merely a position representing a single institution. It oversees numerous facilities and sites, responds to disasters and safety accidents, and takes responsibility for the organization's management and public safety." It made its opposition clear, adding, "For this reason, the chairperson absolutely requires, above all, a deep understanding of field operations and a high level of safety-management expertise."
The union went on to say, "Our union defines this nomination as a typical politically motivated reward appointment and an unqualified parachute appointment that disregards the corporation's unique mission and field expertise." It emphasized, "No political consideration can take precedence over citizens' lives and safety."
The union announced that if the city forces through the current nomination, it will go beyond blocking the chairperson's work report and launch a petition campaign opposing the nomination among all employees and Busan citizens. It also warned that it would respond firmly through joint action with public-sector labor unions and civic groups nationwide.
The personnel hearing for Kim Myung-soo, nominee for chairperson of the Busan Infrastructure Corporation, is scheduled for the 6th of next month. In response, the corporation's labor union said it plans to meet with the chair and members of the Busan Metropolitan Council's personnel hearing special committee to convey its position.
Meanwhile, Kim served as a standing audit committee member at Korea Southern Power in 2022. He has also worked as an aide to a National Assembly member and a senior researcher at Oryukdo Research Institute, and served as vice chair of the Special Committee on Nuclear Safety of the Busan City Party Committee of the Democratic Party of Korea.
[email protected] Byeon Ok-hwan Reporter