Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education Raided by the Corruption Investigation Office Requests "Judgment Based on the Law"

The First Case of the Corruption Investigation Office... Statement on Search and Seizure
Si Education Office "Will Actively Cooperate with the Corruption Investigation Office's Investigation"

The Investigation Division 2 of the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Unit (Gong-su-cheo) is conducting a search and seizure at the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education on the 18th regarding allegations of unfair special recruitment of dismissed teachers involving Cho Hee-yeon, the Superintendent of Education of Seoul. Reporters are waiting for the search and seizure to conclude. / Photo by Moon Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] The High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Unit (HOCI) conducted a search and seizure operation on the same day while investigating Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education Superintendent Cho Hee-yeon as its first case. The Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education stated, "We ask for a judgment based on the law."

On the 18th, the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education said, "HOCI was established due to the aspirations of citizens, and we all understand HOCI's mission well," adding, "The Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education will actively cooperate with HOCI's investigation."

The Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education expressed, "We believe that HOCI will make a judgment based on the law without being swayed by partisan logic regarding this case," and "We hope HOCI will be recorded in history as a model of desirable investigation."

On this day, HOCI conducted its first search and seizure operation since its launch. They secured materials related to the special hiring process of dismissed teachers from the superintendent's office on the 9th floor of the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education. The Board of Audit and Inspection confirmed Superintendent Cho's misconduct and reported him to the police for violating the National Public Service Act, and the police transferred the case to HOCI. After analyzing the seized items, HOCI plans to summon related individuals for questioning.

According to the audit results announced by the Board of Audit and Inspection last month, Superintendent Cho instructed the relevant department to review and promote the special hiring of five dismissed teachers in July-August 2018. Superintendent Cho has claimed that the special hiring was conducted through proper procedures. At a press briefing last month, Superintendent Cho said, "It is regrettable that the Board of Audit and Inspection made this decision without giving me an opportunity to explain, and I will promptly apply for a reconsideration to prove my innocence."

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