The Korean Financial Industry Union has denounced the recent remark of Finance Minister Choi Kyung-hwan, who earlier said the banks in Korea close too early.
The union said, "Although the banks close at 4 p.m., the employees work until 10 or 11 p.m. at the office to wind up the affairs and to handle non-face-to-face sales activities."
It also added, "(Choi) has maliciously pointed out financial employees as an obstacle to financial reform. This is seen as an attempt to muzzle fair criticism and surveillance (for the government) by financial workforce."
The criticism came as Choi held a press briefing at Peru's Lima on Saturday and said, "There is no bank which closes at 4 p.m. in any other country (except for Korea)."
The union said, Park Geun-hye's administration has raised its voice about financial reform since the end of last year as part of its reform plans. But, there has been only vague slogans without key content."
It also said, "The government then shifted its responsibility on financial employees and banking hours out of the blue,” adding that, “This is no different from bureaucratic governance the financial authorities have shown so far."
