Lieutenant Shim Jae-jin's Dismissal and Resumption of Administrative Appeal for Reinstatement

The second trial is currently in progress, with the second hearing scheduled for September 10. Lieutenant Shim expressed that the first trial's outcome was unexpected.

He claims that he was excluded from the investigation of a 10 billion won smuggled Chinese eel case and subsequently transferred to a less important position, receiving retaliatory disciplinary action. He asserts that this internal whistleblowing was the actual reason for his dismissal.

However, it is controversial that the stalking report, which had already been dismissed from prosecution, was used as grounds for disciplinary action. Furthermore, Lieutenant Shim claims that the single-person approval was done under a superior's instruction, and the superior changed their statement during the court proceedings.

Lieutenant Shim explained that the document processed with single-person approval had been reported to and approved by his superior. He emphasized the unfairness of being demoted for something that was handled according to established practice, pointing out that the problem escalated when his superior changed their statement during the court proceedings, despite clear instructions and customary use of the internal approval system.

This suggests the possibility of a structural problem, not just an issue within the Coast Guard, and claims that retaliatory personnel actions may have been used as a means to protect the organization's vested interests. The key issue of the ongoing administrative appeal can be seen not as the legality of the dismissal, but as the suspicion of organizational corruption hidden behind the dismissal.

Signatures can be made by simply entering a name and residential area via Google Form. After obtaining consent for personal information from participants, the signatures will be submitted to the court. The goal is to secure a large number of petitioners through public empathy and participation, and to convey Lieutenant Shim's unfairness to the court. Additionally, plans include creating a playlist of existing broadcasts and summary videos to enhance public understanding of the case.

Lieutenant Shim Jae-jin testified about corruption practices, such as personnel irregularities and entertainment 접대 (hospitality/favors), he experienced during his 20 years of service in the Coast Guard. He stated that he decided he could no longer overlook such corruption and attempted to crack down on corrupt police officers, but as a result, he was branded an internal whistleblower and faced disadvantages. He felt deep skepticism about public service but nonetheless held onto hope for a just public society.

Lieutenant Shim criticized state institutions like the Coast Guard, the Ministry of Personnel Management, and the courts, stating that it is difficult to expect fair judgment due to their 'favoritism towards their own' tendencies. He likened administrative lawsuits to 'hitting a rock with an egg,' expressing his frustration with the reality of biased judgments despite submitting extensive evidence. Nevertheless, he expressed his belief that there would surely be a judge in South Korea who genuinely upholds justice and makes correct judgments.

He claimed that the then-head of the detective division ordered the investigation to be covered up, and those involved in the case were actually promoted. Lieutenant Shim, who was in charge of the investigation, was unfairly demoted to a police substation.

Lieutenant Shim Jae-jin stated that other officers involved in the corruption report in 2017 and the freshwater eel case investigation in 2018 were excluded from promotions or faced disadvantages. In contrast, individuals who appeared to be involved in or connected to the cover-up of the case were promoted by one or two ranks, reaching higher positions. He emphasized that these unfair personnel actions led to his dismissal and demotion, expressing his sense of injustice.

He pointed out that widespread food fraud, where the origin is faked, is being perpetrated against the public. In addition to freshwater eels, he cracked down on violations of origin labeling and illegal repackaging for various items such as loach, frozen tuna, and fermented seafood, raising concerns about the poor management by domestic fisheries authorities.

The administrative appeal for Lieutenant Shim Jae-jin's reinstatement is scheduled for the 16th. The New Tam-sa host announced plans to launch a field-based food fraud crackdown broadcast project once Lieutenant Shim's second trial is largely concluded. This project aims to track down and expose those who deceive the public with food, and they will continue to encourage citizen petition signatures.