"Jeong Sun-shin's Son, School Violence Record Deleted After Transfer"…Education Committee Unanimously Criticizes from Both Parties

Yeo Kwon-eunhee "Perpetrators Aim for Top Schools
Meanwhile, Victims Receive Hospital Treatment"
Opposition Mentions Hearings and National Investigations

Ruling and opposition lawmakers jointly criticized the inadequate response of educational institutions regarding the school violence issue involving the son of lawyer Jeong Soon-shin, who was appointed and then dismissed as the head of the National Investigation Headquarters. In particular, they pointed out that although Jeong's son was subject to a forced transfer during the semester, he was assigned to his first-choice school in the new semester six months later, contrary to the regulation of 'transfer within 14 days.' Meanwhile, the victim of school violence reportedly suffered mental damage, including hospitalization. Additionally, the history of school violence was deleted upon graduation, which also drew criticism regarding the deletion criteria.

"Transfer after school violence was assigned to the desired school at the perpetrator's request, not by the principal's decision"

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Lee Ju-ho is responding to lawmakers' questions at the Education Committee plenary session held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 9th. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

At the National Assembly Education Committee meeting held on the 9th, Kwon Eun-hee, a member of the People Power Party, explained, "In September 2018, a transfer order was issued following a reconsideration decision by the School Violence Countermeasure Regional Committee. However, the transfer was not implemented for six months, remaining unexecuted. In February 2019, the transfer assignment was made not by the principal's decision but at the request of the perpetrator's side. As a result, the transfer was assigned not mid-semester but in the new semester, and to the first-choice desired school."

She added, "During those six months, the victim could not attend school, was hospitalized, and suffered from panic attacks and other mental damages. Meanwhile, the perpetrator attended school well and entered the first-choice school in the new semester, minimizing disadvantages. Later, he was admitted to Seoul National University," criticizing the situation.

Jeong's son, who was a second-year high school student in 2018, was ordered a forced transfer during the semester but filed a lawsuit against it. Although the first-instance administrative court ruling confirming the transfer was legitimate was delivered to the school, the school did not implement the transfer immediately and instead sent a transfer school assignment request to the Gangwon Provincial Office of Education in February the following year to proceed with the transfer.

Han Man-wi, principal of Minjok Leadership Academy High School, explained, "Because of the ongoing legal dispute, we could not immediately implement the transfer."

However, Rep. Kwon pointed out, "The suspension of execution request was dismissed in September 2018. The administrative appeal in December was also dismissed. According to the law and enforcement decree, such transfer measures must be taken 'within 14 days,' but it was still not done. This is an illegal failure to act."

Because the separation of the victim and perpetrator was not promptly implemented, the victim had to attend classes with the perpetrator. Regarding this, independent lawmaker Min Hyung-bae criticized Minjok Leadership Academy High School's response, saying, "They should have separated the perpetrator and victim, but even though they could, they made them attend Macroeconomics together." Principal Han explained, "There was only one class for that subject."

Jeong's son transferred to Banpo High School in the new semester, and his school violence record was deleted upon graduation a year later. The perpetrator's degree of remorse and reconciliation, which had been recorded as 'none' in the school violence committee's judgment score, was changed to indicate some remorse and reconciliation in Banpo High School's review.

Rep. Kwon asked, "At the time of the school violence, the minutes of the school violence committee recorded the perpetrator's remorse as 'none,' and all committee members judged the degree of reconciliation as 'none.' This fact was maintained until the court ruling, but suddenly Banpo High School judged that there was remorse and reconciliation. What was the basis for this?"

Go Eun-jeong, principal of Banpo High School, appeared as a witness at the full meeting of the Education Committee held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 9th, responding to questions from lawmakers. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

Go Eun-jung, principal of Banpo High School, replied, "We listened to and compiled opinions from the homeroom teacher who knows the student well and the subject teachers in the class and submitted a report. Before holding the review committee, the school violence officer interviewed the student and parents, which is recorded in the minutes. The review committee unanimously decided to delete the record."

This drew sharp criticism from lawmakers of both ruling and opposition parties. Rep. Kwon asked again, "What objective data was there? What did the principal see to accept the deletion? From the explanations so far, there is no indication of reconciliation with the victim. Was there any objective data related to that?"

Yoo Ki-hong, chairman of the National Assembly Education Committee, who had been conducting the session calmly, unusually raised his voice. Yoo said, "There are important conditions for deleting school violence records. Whether the perpetrator shows remorse or reconciles. If you ask 'Are you remorseful?' before college entrance exams, who would say no? But reconciliation is different," criticizing.

He added, "Reconciliation is mutual. What on earth did you use to judge whether reconciliation was properly achieved? According to the principal, 'I can't disclose the data, but I think I saw it.' We cannot just let this pass," he pointed out.

Opposition uncooperative in submitting data from Seoul National University, mentions state audit and hearings

On the same day, Democratic Party members of the Education Committee unanimously criticized Seoul National University's insufficient submission of data.

Kim Young-ho, opposition party secretary, said, "At the Education Committee plenary meeting on the 27th of last month, the Deputy Minister of Education said he would check with Seoul National University about whether Jeong's son was admitted through regular or early admission. However, neither key personnel at Seoul National University nor anyone at the Ministry of Education could confirm whether Jeong's son was admitted through regular or early admission, or even whether he is currently enrolled," criticizing.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

He continued, "When asked how they confirmed whether Jeong's son was admitted to Seoul National University, his enrollment status, and admission type, they said they confirmed it through the media," calling it an "absurd answer."

In response, Chairman Yoo asked Deputy Minister Jang Sang-yoon of the Ministry of Education, "Did Jeong's son enter through early or regular admission?" to confirm the college entrance facts, and Deputy Minister Jang replied, "It is reported in the media as regular admission, but we have not accurately confirmed it."

Eventually, Chairman Yoo shouted, "If they don't even confirm the fact of admission and enrollment at Seoul National University, what is the meaning of this (urgent inquiry) now!"

Ultimately, the Democratic Party strongly condemned Seoul National University's attitude and announced plans to take measures at the National Assembly level.

Democratic Party Jeong Soon-shin Prosecutor Privilege Investigation Team mentions "Seoul National University's non-cooperation, pushing for fact-finding investigation"

The Democratic Party's Jeong Soon-shin Prosecutor Privilege Investigation Team held a press conference that day, emphasizing, "Seoul National University should at least show responsible behavior by submitting objective data and preparing measures related to college admissions regarding this case."

They pointed out, "Seoul National University neither properly responded to the National Assembly's data requests nor to lawmakers' protest visits, repeatedly giving parroting answers about personal information consent. They even refuse to submit data unrelated to personal information."

Despite previous cases where Seoul National University disclosed raw scores of the College Scholastic Ability Test in 2009 and business trip data of doctoral-level researchers in 2015, they are not providing even basic data regarding the degree of point deductions for school violence cases, individual or admission type-specific school violence deductions, and regulations, citing 'personal information' as the reason.

The Democratic Party investigation team plans to consider protest visits to the Presidential Office, Ministry of Justice, and National Police Agency, as well as school visits. They also emphasized plans to conduct public surveys and prepare institutional improvement measures. Voices were raised to push for state audits and hearings if Seoul National University's uncooperative attitude continues.

Chairman Yoo said, "If the issues that the public is curious about are not properly resolved in today's urgent inquiry, we will hold hearings through formal approval. Given the importance of the matter, this will inevitably continue until the state audit," he said.