Cho Hee-yeon’s Legal Team: "Not Subject to Corruption Investigation Office Probes"... Opposition Press Conference Tomorrow

[Asia Economy Reporter Baek Kyunghwan] Cho Hee-yeon, Superintendent of Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education, plans to hold a press conference opposing the investigation by the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Division (PCC). Superintendent Cho is accused of instructing the personnel team of the education office in July-August 2018 to specially hire five dismissed teachers, including those from the Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union (JeonGyoJo), on charges of abuse of authority and obstruction of rights.

On the 2nd, Cho's attorney, Lawyer Lee Jaehwa, will hold a press conference to clarify that Superintendent Cho is not subject to investigation by the PCC. No officials from the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education, including Superintendent Cho, will attend the press conference.

The press conference will be attended by Lawyer Lee and other members of the legal team, who are expected to explain that the PCC does not have the authority to investigate this case, focusing on the opinion letter submitted to the PCC on the 20th of last month. Superintendent Cho's side recently appointed Lawyer Lee and submitted a 60-page opinion letter to the PCC, actively responding to the investigation.

The PCC conducted a search and seizure at the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education on the 18th of last month and secured related materials. On the 27th and 28th, Mr. A, the then Chief Secretary involved in the special hiring process, appeared before the PCC and observed the analysis of seized items. On the 28th, Mr. B, the former head of the secondary personnel team at the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education who was responsible for the overall practical work of the special hiring, was summoned. The PCC reportedly questioned Mr. B about the circumstances of selecting hiring committee members who were acquaintances of Superintendent Cho and whether there was any opposition from the staff at the time. Since Mr. A has already been summoned and digital forensic analysis of the seized items has been conducted, it is interpreted that the investigation of surrounding persons is nearing completion.

In the legal community, considering that investigations usually proceed to the main issue after search and seizure and investigation of surrounding persons, it is expected that Superintendent Cho's summons and investigation will take place soon.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.