Kang Hoon-sik, Presidential Chief of Staff, on Sunday called for a strong response against corporate misconduct, including the hunting down of internal whistleblowers who reported cartel activities.
Kang made the remarks while chairing a senior secretaries' meeting at the Presidential Office, where he praised the Fair Trade Commission (FTC) for its achievements in cracking down on collusion. An Gwi-ryeong, deputy spokesperson for the Presidential Office, said in a written briefing that "Chief of Staff Kang noted that tangible results are also emerging, such as companies caught in violations lowering prices they had unfairly raised."
However, Kang pointed out that "some companies, showing no remorse, are hunting down whistleblowers, destroying evidence, and going beyond internal gag orders to invade personal privacy." He urged the FTC, prosecutors, and other relevant agencies to closely monitor the situation and respond immediately when necessary.
Kang also referenced a recent case in which police arrested and detained the leader of a criminal organization that arranged retaliatory attacks on behalf of clients. He criticized such acts, saying "arranging private retaliation is an illegal act that seeks to resolve matters through violence rather than legal procedures." He requested the National Police Agency to conduct proactive investigations covering illegal advertisements and brokerage activities, warning that the spread of such crimes could fuel distrust and anxiety across society.
Additionally, Kang noted that safety concerns are rising as spring school field trips and experiential learning programs get into full swing. He directed the Ministry of Education, the National Police Agency, and other relevant agencies to conduct thorough preliminary safety inspections. He also called for a review of measures to actively support outdoor classroom activities so that schools and teachers do not feel excessive burden.