Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education chief found guilty in second trial for fraudulent hiring of dismissed teachers = South Korea

Cho Hee-young (67), the Seoul Metropolitan Superintendent of Education, was found guilty in the second trial of illegally hiring a fired teacher. Mr. Cho plans to appeal to the Supreme Court, dissatisfied with the ruling.
The possibility of losing the position of superintendent has increased. On the 18th, the Criminal Division 13 of the Seoul High Court sentenced Cho to 1 year and 6 months in prison, suspended for 2 years, on charges of abuse of power and violation of the National Public Service Act.
did. In 2018, Cho is said to have ordered the special recruitment of five former teachers who belonged to the National Teachers' Union (KTU) and had been fired for political activities or other reasons. They will be tried together on charges of conspiring to commit special recruitment.
Mr. A, former head of the secretary's office, was sentenced to 10 months in prison, suspended for 2 years. According to the court, in the first half of 2018, Cho and the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education engaged in political negotiations with the Seoul branch of the National Teachers Union.
They discussed policies regarding special hiring for teachers who were fired due to legal rights issues. As a result, the special recruitment of education civil servants (secondary teachers) was carried out in 2018, and five dismissed teachers were hired.
The court determined that Cho, as superintendent, should have made efforts to ensure open competition in special hiring, but he did not take the necessary measures.
The court first pointed out that the special recruitment in the second half of 2018 lacked fairness from the beginning. “In light of the overall progress of the special recruitment process,
``The recruitment conditions do not seem to have ensured a minimum level of substantive open competition,'' and added, ``The recruitment conditions were created in line with the accomplishments of the five retired teachers. related to
Those five are the only people who have been dismissed in connection with their activities." In fact, in the special recruitment promotion plan at the time, the special recruitment target was ``participated in activities to eliminate the polarization of education and expand the basic political rights of teachers.''
Relatedly, it clearly states "those who have naturally retired (automatically retired due to certain reasons) from the Seoul City Office of Education." The court also considers that special recruitment itself lacks legitimacy. Mr. Cho
It was determined that the special recruitment was carried out in return for the support of the National Teachers Union in the election of the Seoul Superintendent of Education. The court stated, ``There are differences from the previous recruitment in terms of the content and number of people hired,'' and ``the
"The reason why they implemented the special recruitment requested by the National Teachers Union immediately after unifying the ranks and succeeding in re-election was to provide them with personal preferential treatment and compensation."
Once the verdict is finalized, Cho will have to step down as superintendent. Educational autonomy law and public offices
This is because, based on election laws, if a person receives a sentence of imprisonment or more, he or she will be subject to retirement. However, as Mr. Cho has announced his intention to appeal to the Supreme Court, it is expected that it will take several months for the judgment to become final.
Shida. In an interview with reporters after the verdict, Cho expressed regret over the outcome of the trial. In particular, he emphasized that the purpose of the special recruitment was legitimate. Mr. Cho said, ``I wandered around the city for 10 years, trying to solve the problem.
It was a policy decision to have those who had been fired return to be with their children, and it was an active administration for reconciliation and integration in the educational world.'' He added, ``It was not as if he had accepted bribes or had his close aides appointed. do not have
. "It was for the purpose of stabilizing schools, society, and the educational world." He went on to say, ``I apologize to parents, educators, and citizens for not being able to lead Seoul's education community in a stable manner.I would like to appeal immediately.''