Seoul council's Yoo Ki-hoon: Take court's ruling on officer's 5-month dismissal seriously

Yoo Ki-hoon, a Seoul Metropolitan Council lawmaker representing Dobong-gu's third electoral district, spoke during the council secretariat's work report to the Steering Committee at the 339th extraordinary session on Monday. He said the Seoul Metropolitan Council must take seriously a first-trial court ruling that found the mid-term dismissal of a policy support officer improper.

Citing an Aug. 28 report by Munhwa Ilbo, Yoo noted that a court had ruled the abolition of the position illegal. The officer had been appointed for a two-year term but was dismissed after just five months, and Yoo asked about the council's planned response.

In response, Kim Yong-suk, secretary-general of the Seoul Metropolitan Council, said, "Regarding the administrative litigation, we requested guidance from the Ministry of Justice, and after receiving a reply that it would be appropriate to pursue a higher court's review, we filed an appeal."

"The policy support officer, who was appointed by the speaker during the first half of the 11th council's term, was dismissed just five months after the speaker for the second half was elected," Yoo said. "We need to examine whether there were problems in the process, given that the appointment and dismissal took place even though everyone knew a reorganization was underway."

He also stressed, "Since the costs of the appeal are also paid from the council's budget, a careful response is needed."

Kim said, "While the first-trial court acknowledged the need for the reorganization and its public interest aspects to some extent, it ruled that the disadvantage suffered by the officer, who was dismissed after just five months, outweighed those benefits, and found that the council had deviated from and abused its discretionary power."

However, he added, "There are also legal disputes over other issues, so we plan to seek a ruling from a higher court."

"Even if there is a need for reorganization, the disadvantage suffered by the appointed employee and the fairness of the process must be fully considered," Yoo said. "This case should not be seen merely as a litigation matter but as an opportunity to review personnel and organizational management as a whole."

He then said, "Since this case unfolded during the current secretary-general's term, its seriousness must be taken seriously," adding, "I will request additional documents related to it."