The Education Minister Lee Joon-sik on Monday apologized and vowed strong punishment over the controversy caused by a high-ranking official who described the public as “nothing but dogs and pigs.”

During a parliamentary meeting held in the morning, Lee apologized for “greatly disappointing the people” with the ministry official’s “inappropriate” remarks. Lee said that he plans to take stern action in accordance with the result of the investigation into the case.

“There cannot be any excuse for the inappropriate remarks made by a public servant under any circumstances,” Lee said. “Education officials take this case as an opportunity to make utmost efforts to have a desirable work ethic as a public servant.”

A local daily had reported last week that Na Hyang-wook, the director general of the ministry’s police planning bureau, described the general public as “dogs and pigs” at a recent dinner gathering in Seoul with reporters. He allegedly said that the government should just make sure they are fed and alive. The report also quoted him as saying that equality is nothing but an unattainable illusion and there should be a stricter class system in Korea.

As the alleged remarks prompted public outrage, the National Assembly called Na for questioning at its Education Committee. Na, who has withdrawn from his post, did not appear, causing the committee meeting to be suspended. Education Ministry officials said Na was currently staying at his hometown in Masan, South Gyeongsang Province, due to his “frail mental and physical condition.”

Both ruling and opposition lawmakers lashed out at Na’s remarks as well as the education minister for condoning Na’s absence, and called for his immediate expulsion.

Rep. Lee Jang-woo of the ruling Saenuri Party said, “(Na’s) remarks are just not acceptable. I cannot understand how a high-ranking official can make such comments. We should make it clear what punishment will be imposed on him.”

Rep. Woo Sang-ho, the floor leader of the main opposition The Minjoo Party of Korea, called on the government to expel Na. “We cannot see a person who described the public as dogs and pigs as a public servant receiving a paycheck from taxes.”

Unions also expressed concerns over his remarks in a statement.

“We cannot help but be worried about the future of our education as a high-ranking official in charge of mapping out Korean education policies has old-fashioned viewpoints such as advocating the class system for the top 1 percent,” said a union for the nation’s universities.

A labor union for the nation’s public servants blamed the Park Geun-hye administration’s “authoritarian ruling system,” which led to the appointment of a person with “distorted” views in a key post.

“The Constitution stipulates that public servants serve the public and take responsibility for the public. Na should be expelled from the public post forever,” it said in a statement.

Na, who passed his civil service examination in 1993, previously served as the secretary for the minister and an administrative officer at Cheong Wa Dae under former President Lee Myung-bak. He was promoted to the head of the policy planning at the Education Ministry in March.

By Ock Hyun-ju (laeticia.ock@heraldcorp.com)