Incheon taps official linked to 'Shanghai scandal' as free economic zone chief, sparking backlash

Public anger is mounting in Incheon after Mayor Park Chan-dae reportedly selected a central government official linked to the so-called "Shanghai scandal" as his pick for the ninth chief of the Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority.

The news that a figure who once drew significant controversy in the civil service had been chosen to lead the agency responsible for attracting investment and overseeing the development of Incheon's free economic zones has prompted calls on local online communities for the appointment to be withdrawn.

According to Incheon city officials and community sources Tuesday, Park selected the central government official as his final candidate for the ninth IFEZ Authority chief from among candidates recommended through an open recruitment process.

Eight people applied for the position, and five advanced to interviews after a document screening. Three candidates were then recommended to the mayor, and Park is said to have chosen the central government official from among them.

Incheon city plans to proceed with the formal appointment after completing a prior consultation process with the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.

At the heart of the controversy is the official's past. He is reported to be one of those implicated in the so-called "Shanghai scandal," which emerged while he was posted at the South Korean consulate general in Shanghai, China, between 2008 and 2010.

The episode — involving the conduct of Korean diplomats and their relationships with Chinese women — sparked a broad public debate over diplomatic discipline and the alleged leaking of classified consular information.

He was demoted at the time but later filed a lawsuit to have the disciplinary action overturned, and won.

However, the court found that some of his conduct did constitute violations of a civil servant's duty to maintain dignity and to keep secrets, even as it ruled the demotion itself was excessively harsh.

Since news of the appointment broke, critical posts have been appearing steadily on local online communities. Some residents wrote, "What do they think of residents, making an appointment like this?" and "Why would you choose someone controversial for a position responsible for Incheon's economy?" Others demanded that the vetting process be made public.

Some voices have gone further, calling for the appointment to be reconsidered outright and raising the possibility of an organized campaign against it.

Concern is also being felt inside the IFEZ Authority itself. The agency oversees the development of the Songdo, Yeongjong and Cheongna free economic zones and leads domestic and international investment attraction efforts, making it one of Incheon's most important economic institutions.

Some warn that installing a chief with a controversial past could undermine internal cohesion and damage the agency's credibility with outside partners.

"If the reports are true, it puts us in an uncomfortable position," one IFEZ Authority employee said. "This will follow the chief like a label throughout the entire term. If past controversy casts a shadow over someone who has to handle both internal and external affairs, that can't be a good thing."

Incheon city, for its part, said it took the official's career and expertise into account. He has served as a senior civil servant in the trade and industry sector, and his foreign-language skills and vision for free economic zones are said to have earned high marks during the selection process.

City officials have indicated that the past controversy dates back many years and that his subsequent career in public service has provided a degree of vetting.

The official himself has maintained that he was not involved in any inappropriate relationship and was in fact a victim of the incident.

He said he has been vetted as a public servant through the outcome of the disciplinary lawsuit and multiple promotions since then.

Local opposition, however, shows little sign of dying down.

The IFEZ Authority chief position has been vacant for nearly nine months since former chief Yun Won-seok resigned last December.

Given the long vacancy, voices in the community are growing louder that the selection process should have thoroughly verified not only the candidate's expertise and career record but also his integrity and public trustworthiness.

Ultimately, the controversy is expanding beyond a debate over the individual's past into a broader question about Mayor Park's approach to personnel vetting.

Some in the community have noted that "whether there is a legal obstacle to the appointment and whether citizens can accept it are two separate questions."

With the consultation process with the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy still pending, attention is now focused on what explanation Park will offer in response to the mounting public criticism — and whether the appointment will proceed as planned.