S. Korea public official fired for Disneyland visit during work trip

The official travelled to the US for nine days in September 2022 to attend an international conference in Orlando, Florida.PHOTO: PIXABAY via The Korea Herald/Asia News Network

SEOUL — A South Korean court has upheld the dismissal of a public official who was fired for visiting Disneyland during a business trip to the US, which was exposed through a video they uploaded on YouTube.

The Gwangju Court, in a ruling earlier this week that was made public on Feb 6, dismissed the case filed by the fired official of the state-run Korean Internet and Security Agency, seeking to nullify their dismissal. The official travelled to the US for nine days in September 2022 to attend an international conference in Orlando, Florida. The official uploaded a video log of their trip to Disneyland Park on their personal YouTube channel and the spouse’s blog.

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The agency, acting on an anonymous tip-off, investigated the official’s US trip and fired them for leaving the workplace without permission, misusing work hours and engaging in private activities banned for public officials.

The employee then filed a complaint with the court, arguing that the visit occurred during free time, not working hours, and should not be considered a private activity. The official also contended that the videos were not for profit, as they did not generate income or receive sponsorship.

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However, the court ruled against the plaintiff. The judge stated that since the conference schedule had not been cancelled, the official should have attended the designated sessions. The judge determined that visiting Disneyland constituted a personal activity during work hours.

The ruling also noted that the official’s actions could damage public trust by raising concerns about government employees prioritising leisure over official duties.