Lee Dong-gwan, Decide for Yourself... Public Sensitivity to School Violence Is High

Former Seoul City Council Member Participating in Hanago Special Committee
Critiques School Violence Issues in 'Kim Eo-jun News Factory' Interview

Former Seoul City Council member Jang In-hong, on the 7th, regarding the speculation about former Blue House Chief of Public Relations Lee Dong-gwan's appointment as the new chairman of the Korea Communications Commission, said in an interview with the YouTube channel 'Kim Eo-jun's Humility is Difficult News Factory,' "The public's sensitivity to (children's) school violence issues is extremely high," and added, "I believe it is appropriate for former Chief Lee to make a proper judgment on his own."

Former Council member Jang participated in the 2015 Seoul City Council's 'Special Committee for Administrative Investigation into the Alleged Privileges at Hanago High School' (Hanago Special Committee).

Former Blue House Chief of Public Relations Dong-kwan Lee. / Photo by Dongju Yoon doso7@

Former Chief Lee's child was the subject of allegations related to school violence during their time at Hanago High School, an autonomous private high school, in 2011. Hanago is suspected of having covered up the incident through a transfer.

On the same day, former Council member Jang claimed, "At the time Hanago was established during the Lee Myung-bak administration, the chairman of the board was Kim Seung-yu, chairman of Hana Financial Group. It was said that he and former President Lee Myung-bak were alumni of Korea University and had a close relationship. Also, former Chief Lee was a key figure who served as spokesperson and chief of public relations during the Lee Myung-bak administration."

Jang further stated, "Usually, when a school violence incident occurs, the perpetrator and victim are separated according to regulations, protective measures for the victim are taken, and a school violence committee is convened to investigate through parents and students and then make a decision. However, in the Hanago case, even though the issue was reported to the vice principal, who was the chair of the violence committee, the committee was not convened, and the homeroom teacher closed the case. This is an action that violates regulations."