Hong Moon-pyo, president of the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation (aT), was abruptly dismissed on the 30th, ending a tenure that began under the Yoon Suk-yeol administration.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs sent aT an official government personnel order the previous day formally notifying Hong of his dismissal, the ministry said. The document stated that the decision was based on the findings of a conduct audit conducted in May, according to officials.
A conduct audit examines whether executives and employees of the audited institution have violated their duties, along with any misconduct and their work performance. The specific grounds for the dismissal have not yet been disclosed. Hong is weighing legal action in response to the decision, sources said.
Hong took office as aT's 20th president in August 2024. His original term ran three years, but the dismissal ends his tenure after two years and one month.
aT plans to shift to an emergency management system led by Vice President Kim Chang-kook to minimize disruption to its operations.
