Nepotism at Foreign Ministry more serious than has been known

The firestorm of nepotism within the foreign ministry hasn’t let up as a special investigation into the matter has revealed a wider nepotism practice in the ministry.

“(I) didn’t know it was ‘this much serious,’” the title of the local JoonAng Ilbo Saturday read.

That was a direct quotation from a foreign ministry official who remained anonymous in the report.

“If the result of the investigation is announced next week during a parliamentary hearing, the foreign ministry may face a situation in which it cannot ‘lift its chin,’” the official said, using the Korean expression, which describes a deeply shameful situation.

Another official said: “It’s time for (the foreign ministry) to be born again completely anew,” the report said.

The atmosphere remains tense over the scope of the expected overhauling of the ministry's recruitment process. The special investigation, ordered by President Lee Myung-bak, plans to “punish those responsible for unfair hiring” and also “treat those who were hired despite their lack of qualification ‘in accordance with the law,” the report said.

The investigation was sparked by the case of disgraced foreign minister Yu Myung-hwan, who resigned after a scandal erupted over the ministry hiring of his daughter.

Yu’s case has snowballed to reveal other cases of unfair hiring, involving yet another former foreign minister, Yoo Chong-ha and Jeon Yoon-chul, a former head of the national audit organ.

However, it’s not clear those who are at the center of the controversy will attend the parliamentary hearing, as they are either overseas currently or plan to go abroad for international meetings during the parliamentary inquiry.

Meanwhile, a confirmation hearing for a new foreign minister nominee is likely to be held next week, Yonhap News Agency said Saturday.

President Lee tapped his top security aide Kim Sung-hwan as foreign minister on Friday, to succeed former minister Yu.