Gyeongbuk Yeongju Police Station Transfers Former Dongyang University President Choi Seonghae with 'Prosecution Opinion' ... Suspected Embezzlement in Office

Charges of breach of trust in the course of duty and violation of the Private School Act result in 'non-prosecution'

The photo shows Choi Seong-hae, president of Dongyang University, responding to reporters' questions as he leaves the prosecution office after being investigated as a witness on September 5 last year. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Park Dong-wook] On the 24th, the Yeongju Police Station in Gyeongbuk announced that they have sent former Dongyang University President Choi Seong-hae to the prosecution with an indictment opinion on charges of embezzlement in the course of duty.

Dongyang University, located in Yeongju City, is where Jeong Gyeong-shim, the wife of former Minister Cho Kuk, was employed. Former President Choi was the person who first raised suspicions about the forgery of the university president’s certificate awarded to Professor Jeong, causing a stir.

Former President Choi has been under police investigation for embezzling about 16 million won of university funds during his tenure. The police transferred the case to the prosecution with an indictment opinion on the charge of embezzlement in the course of duty. However, charges such as breach of trust in the course of duty, violation of the Private School Act, obstruction of business, and fraud were sent with a non-prosecution opinion.

Earlier this month, Professor Jang Gyeong-wook, chairman of the Dongyang University Professors’ Council, stated on social media (SNS) that "the Professors’ Council recently filed a complaint with the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office against former President Choi on charges including breach of trust in the course of duty and embezzlement."

Professor Jang claims that former President Choi fabricated documents to make it appear as if an employee of Yeongju FM, where he was the chairman, was hired as a staff member in the General Affairs Department of Dongyang University, and paid about 80 million won in salary from university funds between 2013 and 2017.

He also said, "Although Dongyang University received over 8,000 ancient documents as donations from local residents in 2010, three years later, they fabricated documents to make it appear as if some of them were purchased for about 310 million won from university funds."

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