Vice Minster of Veterans Sacked
By Yoon Won-sup
Staff Reporter
President Roh-Moo-hyun dismissed Jung Il-kwon, 56, the vice minister of patriots and veterans affairs, for illegally enjoying the benefits of a National Meritorious Person, presidential spokesman Cheon Ho-seon said Sunday.
Jung had his ministry designate himself as a National Meritorious Person through fake documents while enjoying the accompanying benefits such as receiving a special pension and getting his children jobs, according to an investigation by the Board of Audit and Inspection.
Jung underwent surgery for backache in 1999. His pain worsened while moving a desk in the ministry, and he requested the Government Employee Pension Service (GEPS) to provide medical treatment for an injury sustained while on duty. However, the GEPS declined because his development of the ailment was not work related.
Discontent with the rejection, Jung submitted false documents on his backache to his ministry in order to be recognized as a National Meritorious Person in June 2004. The documents wrongly claimed the injury was sustained while on duty.
Though the requirements to be recognized as a National Meritorious Person are much more complicated and difficult than the requirements for medical treatment for an injury sustained while on duty, Jung acquired privileged status. As a matter of record, he served as a senior official in charge of the screening process of the National Meritorious Person in the ministry until April 2004.
As a National Meritorious Person, Jung got financial support for his son and daughter¡?s university tuition. Furthermore, his children got jobs in the public sector as the law requires public companies to fill a certain percentage of their employees with family members of National Meritorious Persons.
Jung reportedly offered to resign from the presidential office when his wrongdoings were revealed. The Board of Audit and Inspection notified the ministry on revoking the employment of Jung¡?s children.
Once the ministry designates a National Meritorious Person, he or she is entitled to a lump-sum financial compensation, free education for the person and family members, free medical services, and preferential employment in the public companies for that person and family members, and an additional pension.
Those persons include Korean independent movement activists, war veterans and leaders who contributed to democracy in Korea.