The Corruption Investigation Office Wraps Up Analysis of Seized Items in 'Jo Hee-yeon Special Recruitment Suspicion' Case

[Asia Economy Reporter Bae Kyunghwan] A senior official from the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education appeared at the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Division (HCID) regarding allegations of unfair special recruitment of dismissed teachers by Cho Hee-yeon, Superintendent of Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education. The visit was for the return of seized items, and a full-scale witness investigation is expected to follow.

According to the legal community on the 27th, Mr. A, former Chief of Staff to Superintendent Cho (currently Policy Safety Planning Officer), who is known to have been involved in the special recruitment process, appeared at the HCID office in Gwacheon in the afternoon.

Mr. A is suspected of improperly interfering in the document and interview evaluations by forming a screening committee including acquaintances under Superintendent Cho's instructions during the special recruitment process of five dismissed teachers, including members from the Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union (JeonGyoJo), in July-August 2018.

Earlier, on the 18th, the HCID conducted a 10-hour search and seizure operation at the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education in Jongno-gu, Seoul, deploying over 20 personnel including prosecutors and investigators.

The legal community expects that, with the analysis and return of seized items completed, witness investigations will proceed. Those expected to be summoned for witness questioning include the Deputy Superintendent, Director of Educational Policy, and Director of Secondary Education, who had expressed opposition to the special recruitment.

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