A former official from the Fisheries Division of a city hall in South Jeolla Province, Mr. A, has sparked controversy after re-entering the workforce at K Fisheries Cooperative, which he had granted a license for seaweed farming while he was still in office. Mr. A retired while handling the practical tasks related to the seaweed farms and then joined K Fisheries Cooperative after it obtained the seaweed farming license. This cooperative received a total of 293 hectares of seaweed farming license from the city after Mr. A entered the retirement training period. Local fishermen are collectively protesting, saying that Mr. A moved to the organization he had been in charge of licensing for less than a year after his retirement, which is a "favorable hiring due to prior consultation." However, a city official stated that the issuance of the seaweed farming license to K Fisheries Cooperative was in accordance with legal procedures, unrelated to the audit office's judgment, and that they are not considering revoking the license as a suitable entity is currently conducting the business. In response, Mr. A clarified that there was no improper collusion with K Fisheries Cooperative during his tenure and that he believed there would be no problem as the cooperative was not the employment screening agency. Nevertheless, the city plans to criminally report Mr. A to investigative authorities for violating the Public Officials' Ethics Act, and fishermen are arguing that the license should be invalidated, suggesting that the repercussions will not easily subside.