The national public officials' labor union has recently criticized Ulsan City's regular personnel management, stating that it has led to considerable manpower shortages within local government structures. During a press conference held on the 23rd of this month, the Ulsan branch of the labor union condemned Ulsan City for imposing unilateral sacrifices on local governments through its irresponsible management of personnel. The union claims that Ulsan City bypassed the established principle of one-on-one exchanges with the five districts and counties, resulting in a shortage of 136 employees being reported. They describe this behavior as arrogant, suggesting that Ulsan City treats local governments as subordinate entities, readily extracting resources without maintaining an equitable relationship.

In the run-up to local elections, the union warns that the large-scale personnel shortage is forcing extreme workloads on public servants at the local level. Some municipalities have resorted to employing temporary staff through what is termed 'temporary appointment systems,' which allows for the hiring of workers based solely on the shortage circumstances without set appointments or defined contracts. This situation has raised concerns about the sustainability of municipal operations and the welfare of public employees.

Responding to these accusations, Ulsan City's public officials' union issued a statement noting that personnel exchanges are typically determined through discussions and agreements among appointing authorities, which may differ by municipality. They argued that the manpower shortage is not solely a result of the actions of specific agencies but arises from a variety of issues, including administrative demands and increasing numbers of personnel on leave. The rebuttal emphasizes the complexity of administrative realities, countering the union's claims of irresponsibility.