Busan names Kim Tae-ho transport corporation head despite council's 'unsuitable' finding

Busan city announced on 21 October that it had appointed Kim Tae-ho, a former president of Seoul Transportation Corporation, as president of Busan Transportation Corporation (부산교통공사). His term is three years. Mayor Jeon Jae-su presented the letter of appointment at the city hall ceremony room, Seoul Economic Daily reported. [ 1 , 3 , 4 , 6 ]

The city's confirmation hearing special committee had earlier judged Kim unsuitable. Newsis and Dong-A Ilbo wrote that the committee found concerns over public ethics and conflict of interest, tied to his decisions during past service at public institutions and his career after retirement, had not been sufficiently resolved. The city said it took the opinion seriously. It said it had reviewed the concerns raised at the hearing together with Kim's expertise, management ability and the urgency of the corporation's issues, and had found no serious disqualifying grounds that would restrict the appointment. [ 1 , 3 , 4 , 6 ]

The city cited the union's strike notice. The corporation's union planned to strike from the first train on 23 October if final bargaining on 22 October failed, according to Newsis, Dong-A Ilbo and Kukmin Ilbo. The city said a head was urgently needed to take charge of labour-management talks and key decisions. A city official told Chosun Ilbo that the decision was meant to prevent a management vacuum from a prolonged vacancy. Chosun Ilbo also reported that the city had drawn up emergency transport measures and held a meeting of related agencies. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]

The city described Kim as a management specialist with experience in the private sector and as the first president of Seoul Transportation Corporation, and judged him the right person to ease labour disputes and strengthen rail safety management. Kukmin Ilbo reported that he was born in 1960, holds a doctorate in industrial engineering from Texas A&M University, and has been a special professor at Hansung University. The city said it will check the corporation's operations and management results after the appointment to address the concerns raised at the hearing. [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 6 ]

Mayor Jeon said he takes the opinions and concerns raised in the council hearing seriously and asked Kim to solve the corporation's urgent tasks, run it responsibly and produce visible results. Newsis and Dong-A Ilbo wrote that the appointment is expected to raise the likelihood of conflict between the city and the council. They cited an earlier remark by Kim Bo-eon, chair of the committee, that if Mayor Jeon appointed the candidates it would amount to a declaration of war on the council. The reports gave no council response to the appointment. [ 1 , 3 ]

The city has not yet decided on Kim Myeong-su, the candidate for head of Busan Facilities Corporation, who also received an unsuitable finding. It said it will consider the matter further. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 6 ]

Asia Economy reported on 22 October that Kim, described as the corporation's ninth president, began work that day without a separate inauguration ceremony. He reviewed the strike preparations and the emergency operation plan, and was due to visit the union office and attend collective bargaining from 15:00 as the corporation's chief representative. He said he would do his best to reach a settlement through sufficient communication between labour and management. [ 7 ]