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[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] The Public Officials Corruption Investigation Unit (PCCIU) Prosecution Deliberation Committee concluded on the 30th that Cho Hee-yeon, the Superintendent of Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education, who has been accused of unfair special recruitment of dismissed teachers, should be prosecuted.

The Prosecution Deliberation Committee reviewed Superintendent Cho's case from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the same day and announced, "We have deliberated and resolved to prosecute regarding the main charges related to the persons involved in this case."

Superintendent Cho has been under investigation by the PCCIU for allegedly improperly intervening to allow five dismissed teachers, including those from the Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union (JeonGyoJo), to be specially recruited in 2018 (charges include abuse of authority and violation of the State Public Officials Act). This is the first case handled by the PCCIU since its establishment.

The Prosecution Deliberation Committee also decided that Mr. A, the former chief secretary who is accused of handling the special recruitment procedures, should be prosecuted.

According to PCCIU regulations, advisory results must be "respected." The PCCIU is expected to make a final decision on the disposition of Superintendent Cho and others soon, based on this outcome.

Meanwhile, regarding the results of this Prosecution Deliberation Committee, Superintendent Cho's side protested, stating, "It is difficult to accept the decision as the committee did not guarantee the right of the defendant's attorney to present opinions and only listened to the one-sided opinions of the investigating prosecutor."

They added, "According to PCCIU guidelines, the investigating prosecutor can only submit a written opinion, and the committee members may allow the prosecutor to attend if deemed necessary. Nevertheless, the lead prosecutor insisted on attending the entire committee meeting from start to finish and demanded a decision to prosecute. The PCCIU did not even follow the regulations they created. Therefore, the defense strongly demands that the Prosecution Deliberation Committee be reconvened with equal rights for attorneys and prosecutors to present their opinions."

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