(C) Ulleung County Office

ULLEUNG-GUN, North Gyeongsang — Ulleung County is facing intense public scrutiny and internal unrest following a series of inconsistent personnel appointments that critics say have damaged the credibility of the local administration. The controversy peaked this week when the county government retracted and revised a major reshuffling plan just one day after its official announcement, leading to accusations of "look-after-our-own" politics and administrative incompetence.

The 24-Hour Reversal
According to local government sources on January 5, Ulleung County initially announced a large-scale personnel reshuffle on December 29, involving 146 officials, including one Grade 4 promotion and two Grade 5 (Director level) promotions. The list was distributed to the press and public as a finalized plan for the new year.

However, less than 24 hours later, the county’s personnel department issued a revised list, requesting local media to correct their reports. The modification was significant: it altered the assignments of nine high-ranking officials. Most notably, a senior official (Official A), who was originally designated for dispatch to the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission (ACRC), was suddenly retained, while a newly promoted junior director was sent in his place.

County officials defended the move, citing "personal family matters" regarding the official originally slated for the ACRC post. However, the lack of transparency has fueled rumors that the changes were made to accommodate specific individuals rather than for administrative efficiency.

A Pattern of Instability
This is not an isolated incident. The Grade 5 promotions in question had already been a source of friction since the first half of 2024. At that time, the Personnel Committee had reached a "deferred" decision on the promotions, leading the county to abruptly postpone the appointments. The delay sparked months of speculation and internal division within the civil service.

Furthermore, a similar incident occurred in late 2024 when a series of appointments for public service employees was announced and then canceled on the very same day. These repeated reversals have led to a "loss of face" for the county leadership.

Internal Turmoil and Public Confusion
The fallout has been immediate. Inside the County Office, there are reports that some employees, feeling victimized by the "unfair and inconsistent" criteria, are considering legal action against the administration. The reassignment of an official returning from the ACRC to the Facilities Management Office—a move seen as disregarding professional continuity—has further exacerbated the tension.

Residents have expressed frustration over the confusion. "I searched for the list to see who our new local leaders would be, but every news outlet had different names," said a 53-year-old resident of Ulleung-eup. "In a small community like ours, these appointments matter. No one is explaining why the names keep changing."

Calls for Reform
Experts and former officials warn that such administrative "flip-flopping" undermines the principle of meritocracy. "Personnel appointments must be based on clear, unwavering standards to ensure stability," a retired county official remarked. "By repeatedly reversing its own decisions, the county has invited unnecessary suspicion and self-inflicted a blow to its own authority."

As the 2026 administrative year begins, Ulleung County finds itself under pressure to provide a more rigorous explanation for its personnel practices to restore the trust of both its employees and the 9,000 residents it serves.