[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] Figures from the ruling party have successively harshly criticized the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Office (HOCI) for its decision on its first case. HOCI designated the 'Special Hiring of Dismissed Teachers' case involving Cho Hee-yeon, the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education Superintendent, as its first case and began an investigation. However, following criticism from the education and legal sectors, ruling party figures have joined the chorus of condemnation, increasing the pressure on the investigation.
Former Democratic Party leader Lee Nak-yeon wrote on his social media (SNS) Facebook account on the 15th, "It is unexpected that the first investigation by HOCI, launched after the public's long wait, is about the special hiring of dismissed teachers. It is regrettable."
He added, "This goes against the public's expectation that corruption among high-ranking officials would be investigated thoroughly and without exception," and said, "It is natural that many citizens find it puzzling that the reinstatement of dismissed teachers is the first target of investigation, while numerous power-related corruptions are set aside."
He also argued, "Based on existing laws, metropolitan and provincial education offices nationwide have been conducting special hiring of educational officials," and stated, "It is appropriate for the National Assembly and the government to discuss institutional improvements regarding the reinstatement of dismissed teachers, and HOCI should wait for such discussions rather than immediately proceeding with criminal prosecution."
Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung also criticized HOCI's designation of the first case through Facebook on the 14th.
Governor Lee emphasized, "It is like 'knocking on a coffin while sleeping' (an idiom meaning a senseless act)," and said, "The foundation of HOCI's existence is being shaken by the selection of an absurd 'first case.'"
He continued, "The special hiring of dismissed teachers has been carried out based on the law (Article 12 of the Educational Officials Act). If there is a possibility of violating the law in the hiring process, the police can investigate it. It is hard to accept that HOCI wields its heavy sword over existing laws that need improvement," he wrote.
Former Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae also sharply criticized on Facebook on the 13th, saying, "Recently, HOCI is conducting a peculiar preliminary investigation into the 'case of the progressive education superintendent's hiring of dismissed teachers,' which does not seem to be a serious crime and goes against the sense of justice of ordinary people."
HOCI is attempting to investigate based on reference materials received from the Board of Audit and Inspection, which reported to the police that Superintendent Cho had unjustly ordered the special hiring of five dismissed teachers. It is reported that the second investigation division is reviewing the materials. There is also speculation that summons or raids of related parties may soon follow.
However, voices of criticism are erupting from various sectors, creating a burden for HOCI. On the 13th, 14 metropolitan and provincial education superintendents issued a statement expressing "regret over HOCI's investigation."
The case HOCI intends to investigate concerns allegations that Superintendent Cho abused his authority by unjustly intervening in the special hiring process in 2018 of teachers who were naturally retired following a Supreme Court guilty verdict. The Board of Audit and Inspection claims that Superintendent Cho directed the special hiring and excluded deputy superintendents and department heads who opposed it from their duties. In contrast, Superintendent Cho argues that the special hiring was conducted through an open competitive process and that the exclusion of staff was decided through consultation.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
