Jung Ho-young: "Transfer to Kyungpook National University was my children's choice... No Daddy's chance involved"

"If the public felt uncomfortable, we apologize"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] Jeong Ho-young, the nominee for Minister of Health and Welfare, once again denied allegations of special favors surrounding his two children’s transfer admissions to Kyungpook National University College of Medicine, stating that "'Dad’s chance' was absolutely impossible in the system."

At the National Assembly confirmation hearing on the 3rd, Jeong said regarding the suspicions about his children’s transfer admissions to Kyungpook National University College of Medicine, "If you ask the witnesses later, you will find that our (Kyungpook National University College of Medicine) system is structured in a way that absolutely does not allow the use of 'Dad’s chance.'"

Jeong’s daughter and son were admitted through the transfer admission process to Kyungpook National University College of Medicine in 2016 (for the 2017 academic year) and 2017 (for the 2018 academic year), respectively. At that time, Jeong was serving as vice director and then director of Kyungpook National University Hospital, raising suspicions that he might have influenced his children’s admissions. There are also allegations that professors closely connected to Jeong and co-authors of his papers gave high scores to his children during interviews.

However, Jeong explained, "I neither discussed the transfer admissions with other professors nor could I have done so," adding, "I was too embarrassed to talk about it in case my children failed."

When asked by Kim Min-seok, chairman of the National Assembly Health and Welfare Committee from the Democratic Party, "Is there anyone at Kyungpook National University College of Medicine who does not know the nominee?" Jeong replied, "About 85% of our school are alumni of the same university," not denying that they know each other.

Regarding the reason his children applied for transfer admission to Kyungpook National University College of Medicine despite potential misunderstandings, Jeong said, "It was their own choice, and they had applied to other universities before that," adding, "Since they are adults, it was difficult for me as a parent to say anything."

However, Jeong apologized, saying, "In any case, if the public felt uncomfortable because of me, I am very sorry."

In response to People Power Party lawmaker Seo Jeong-sook’s suggestion to say a word to his children as a father, Jeong said, "I am sorry as a father because they are suffering greatly due to me despite their diligent efforts for their own career paths."