'Special Recruitment Allegations' Jo Hee-yeon Returns Home After First Investigation... "I Acted Sincerely"

Superintendent Cho Hee-yeon of Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education suspected of unfair special recruitment of dismissed teachers / Gwacheon=Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Jo] Cho Hee-yeon, Superintendent of Education for Seoul, was questioned for the first time on the 27th at the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Division (PCC) as a suspect in the allegations of 'preferential hiring of dismissed teachers' and then returned home. Superintendent Cho finished the investigation around 6 p.m. and reportedly reviewed the statement for about an hour afterward.

After the investigation, Superintendent Cho told reporters, "I sincerely participated in the PCC investigation throughout the day," and added, "I explained everything I could personally clarify." He also said, "Special hiring is routinely conducted in many public institutions," and expressed hope that "the PCC would make a macro-level judgment considering this situation."

Although it was widely expected that the investigation would continue late into the night as Superintendent Cho denied all charges, it ended relatively early. Lee Jae-hwa, Superintendent Cho’s attorney from Jinsung Law Firm, explained, "The investigation did not take long because Superintendent Cho only testified about what he knew." When asked about additional summons, he replied, "As of now, there are no plans," and Superintendent Cho added, "If necessary, I will sincerely cooperate anytime."

Superintendent Cho is accused of exerting undue pressure during the special hiring process of five dismissed teachers, including those from the Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union (JeonGyoJo), in 2018. Earlier, the Board of Audit and Inspection announced the results of an audit on the allegations in April and provided the PCC with reference materials related to abuse of authority, while also filing a complaint with the police accusing Superintendent Cho of violating the National Public Officials Act. Upon arriving at the PCC around 8:45 a.m. that day, Superintendent Cho denied the charges, stating, "The special hiring was conducted lawfully according to the procedures prescribed by law."

The PCC’s Investigation Division 2, led by Chief Prosecutor Kim Seong-moon, reportedly questioned Superintendent Cho from 9 a.m. about whether the hiring candidates were predetermined. They also inquired whether the Deputy Superintendent was excluded from the hiring process and whether Superintendent Cho indirectly influenced the selection of the screening committee members. Based on the testimony given that day, Superintendent Cho’s side plans to submit additional statements to the PCC.

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