Jokuk, Truth Dispute with Seoul National University: "Did Not Accept Resignation, Received Salary" vs "No Intention to Resign"

Former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk, who was indicted on charges including the cover-up of the inspection of Yoo Jae-su, former Deputy Mayor for Economic Affairs of Busan, and admission fraud involving his children, arrived at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul on the 28th and is moving to the courtroom. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Jin-ho Kim] Former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk and Seoul National University are engaged in a dispute over whether he expressed his intention to resign from his professorship.

According to Hwang Bo-seung-hee, a member of the People Power Party, Seoul National University stated on the 6th and 17th of this month, in response to the lawmaker's office request to "submit materials showing Professor Cho Kuk's expression of resignation intention," that Cho Kuk never expressed his intention to resign to Seoul National University. On the other hand, former Minister Cho posted a rebuttal on social media (SNS) on the same day.

Previously, when controversy arose over Cho Kuk continuing to receive salary for over two years even after being suspended from his professorship, he claimed on the 27th of last month that "I expressed my intention to resign to Seoul National University, but they did not accept my resignation because I was indicted."

Regarding this, Representative Hwang said, "I cannot understand why he would tell a lie that will be exposed so soon," and added, "I checked through various channels to see if any other staff in the relevant department had received any contact from Professor Cho Kuk, but there was absolutely none."

However, on the same day, former Minister Cho refuted the explanations from Representative Hwang and Seoul National University via Facebook. Cho stated, "I clearly expressed my intention to 'resign' to the highest personnel officer of the Seoul National University Law School and said I would submit a 'letter of resignation.'"

He continued, "However, the top official did not give an official response regarding the acceptance of my 'resignation,' so I was unable to submit the 'letter of resignation,' and the 'suspension' status has been maintained until now," he claimed.

He also emphasized, "If they continue to label me a liar, I will disclose the real names of the two officials at (Seoul National University)."

However, Seoul National University once again drew a clear line on the same day, stating, "The headquarters has never officially received any expression of resignation." A university official explained, "There was an informal inquiry about whether a resignation could be accepted if expressed, but since the relevant law prohibits acceptance of resignation from someone who is indicted, no specific review was conducted on this matter."