Calls grow to relax political restrictions on civil servants ahead of presidential election

A growing number of public servants in Korea are calling for greater political freedoms ahead of the June 3 presidential election, criticizing what they describe as overly strict restrictions on their basic rights.

Woo Geum-bong, a civil servant with 11 years of experience at Seoul’s Gangseo District Office, recently received what he called a “chilling” notice from the Seoul Metropolitan Government.

The document warned that during the election period, any political expression on social media, including liking or sharing posts, would be subject to investigation as a possible breach of political neutrality rules.

Under Korea’s Public Officials’ Labor Union Act, civil servants are allowed to form unions, but their rights are tightly limited. Strikes and all political activities are banned.

“A public official’s personal political opinion doesn’t interfere with their work, which is governed by procedures, institutions and law,” Woo said. “Yet we’re denied even the most basic political rights as citizens.”

He recalled feeling particularly stifled on Dec. 4 last year, the morning after ousted President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law. Though the news had gripped the nation, Woo said no one at his office dared mention it for fear of violating political neutrality laws. “While citizens were out on the streets, we had to remain silent,” he said.

One civil servant union leader who spoke at a pro-impeachment rally was reported to authorities for allegedly breaching neutrality. Woo added that the restrictions also strain family relationships.

“Even my relatives have asked if I’m allowed to talk about politics as a civil servant,” he said. “I couldn’t even take my kids to a rally or talk to them about the situation. These are crucial democratic moments, and I had to sit them out.”

Woo and the Korean Government Employees’ Union, part of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, are demanding basic political freedoms such as the right to join a political party or donate to political campaigns.

“These activities are private, invisible to the public and have no bearing on job performance,” he said. “If I had that right, I’d donate to the politician I support and say with confidence that the Dec. 3 martial law declaration was illegal.”

While critics argue that allowing political affiliations could invite favoritism or political division within the bureaucracy, union representatives say safeguards exist.

“Even if such problems arise, the union can monitor and counteract them,” said Park Joong-bae, a spokesperson for the Korean Government Employees' Union. “Public duties are executed according to law, so differing political views won’t cause issues. This is about reclaiming our rights as citizens.”

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.