'10-Year Tenure' Ends for Cho Hee-yeon, Seoul Superintendent of Education, on Retirement... "Innovative Education Will Continue"

Loss of Superintendent Position by Supreme Court Ruling
"We Respect and Will Follow the Court's Decision"
Education Office Staff and Education Figures See Off
By-Election Scheduled for October

Cho Hee-yeon, the Superintendent of Education for Seoul, lost his position after being sentenced to a suspended prison term on charges of preferential hiring of dismissed teachers. As a result, Cho, who had held the position for 10 years this year, stepped down as the head of Seoul education.

On the afternoon of the 29th, Cho announced in front of the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education headquarters in Jongno-gu, Seoul, "In accordance with the Supreme Court ruling and related laws, I conclude my 10-year history as the Superintendent of Education for Seoul."

On the day of Cho's farewell, about 300 officials from the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education, education sector representatives, and education organizations gathered. Members of the Democratic Party including Kwak Sang-eon, Kim Nam-geun, Kim Jun-hyuk, Nam In-soon, Park Joo-min, and Park Hong-geun were also present.

He said, "How could I not feel regret over this absurd reality where a superintendent is dismissed simply for reinstating dismissed teachers? However, I believe that the court's decision must be respected and followed regardless of personal gains or losses."

He continued, "The original reasons for the dismissal of the teachers reinstated in 2018 are also related to the issue of teachers' political basic rights as citizens, which is now being discussed in the National Assembly," adding, "I believe that their reinstatement carries the meaning of further guaranteeing teachers' rights, which have been demanded since the tragedy at Seoicho."

He then emphasized, "The path of innovative education will continue," and expressed his gratitude, saying, "I will return to society as a free person and live diligently."

After Cho finished his remarks, members of the Joint Countermeasure Committee to Protect Seoul Education presented him with a bouquet and shed tears. Cho also wiped away tears and responded, "Now, I hope you will open a new path for education in the Republic of Korea."

Following this, Cho shook hands one by one with the education office officials lined up from the headquarters to the main gate and left the venue. Civic groups such as the Seoul Special School Parents' Association, the Joint Countermeasure Committee to Protect Seoul Education, and the Seoul Disabled Parents' Solidarity also chanted slogans to see him off.

Earlier that morning, the Supreme Court's 3rd Division (Presiding Justice Oh Seok-jun) dismissed Cho's appeal in the final trial on charges of abuse of authority and violation of the State Public Officials Act, confirming the original sentence of 1 year and 6 months in prison with a 2-year suspension.

As Cho was sentenced to a prison term of more than a year and thus lost his position as superintendent, the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education will be temporarily operated under the acting authority of Deputy Superintendent Seol Se-hoon. According to the National Election Commission, a by-election for the Seoul Superintendent of Education is scheduled to be held on October 16.