[Freak_NL]

> […] in order to acquire illicit benefits or abuse power for one's personal gain.

There was no personal gain nor illicit benefits gained by the civil servants responsible. For something to be corruption, the perpetrator has to gain something.

[edejong]

Would a promotion (or not losing your job) count as a gain?

[zambal]

It might be a gain, but that doesn't make it corruption.

[rocqua]

I'd say no to keeping your job, and yes to a promotion only if it is accelerated.

[StreamBright]

You think that they did this because they are purely evil? I think they had to gain something. Maybe the gain was less work.