By Jung Min-ho
Only 518 people out of more than 5,200 applicants landed jobs at casino operator Kangwon Land between 2012 and 2013. However, it was later revealed that 95 percent of the people who received jobs did so thanks to their ties to corrupt politicians.
Twenty-three people, who failed to get jobs there during that period, will file a damage suit with the Chuncheon District Court Wednesday against Kangwon Land, alleging the firm used them as nothing but a show.
The People’s Solidarity for Participatory Democracy (PSPD), a civic group, will help them deal with legal matters.
A PSPD official said it was a textbook example of corruption in hiring, which undermined the trust of not just them but also hundreds of thousands of young jobseekers who expected ― or at least hoped for ― a fair competition.
Over the past month, the PSPD has tried to persuade the alleged victims to join the action. But many of them couldn’t, because they were still busy finding jobs.
But the PSPD thinks a win in the case will pave the way for more people to be compensated for their financial and mental damages.
Separately, the prosecution is investigating the case. Key suspects include former CEO Choi Heung-jip, who led the company from July 2011 to February 2014, Rep. Kweon Seong-dong and Rep. Yeom Dong-yeol of the right-wing Liberty Korea Party.
More lawmakers are expected to be investigated for their alleged involvement.
According to a Kangwon Land personnel affairs official, the company had the list of people who were recommended by the lawmakers and other people who were close to the former CEO.
Notably, Kweon is suspected of helping his former secretary, surnamed Kim, get a manager-level job for checking water quality at the casino. Even though Kim was not qualified for the position, which required at least five years of relevant experience, Kim got it with ease after Choi allegedly ordered officials to hire him over 33 other applicants.
After the issue came to the fore, the company admitted to the corruption in September and apologized.