與 "Gwak Nohyeon Seoul Education Superintendent Candidacy, The Worst Anti-Educational Scene"

Former Superintendent Gwak's 2012 Prison Sentence Confirmed by Supreme Court
30 Billion Won Election Cost Refund Not Returned, Disqualification Confirmed
Representative Han Dong-hoon "Authorities Should Seize Deposit First"
Floor Leader Chu Kyung-ho "The Ultimate Mockery of Korean Education"

The leadership of the People Power Party strongly criticized former Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education Superintendent Kwak Nohyeon’s decision to run again in the election on the 9th, calling it "an act that drags the superintendent election into the worst political strife, one of the worst anti-educational scenes to be recorded in recent history."

On the morning of the same day, Representative Han Dong-hoon stated at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly, "An incident that could provoke public outrage regardless of political camp, from the perspective and standards of the people, is currently happening in the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education Superintendent election."

On the 29th of last month, the Supreme Court upheld the original sentence of 1 year and 6 months imprisonment with 2 years probation for former Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education Superintendent Cho Hee-yeon, who was indicted on charges including abuse of authority and obstruction of the exercise of rights for unfairly hiring dismissed teachers through special recruitment. Due to the confirmation of the invalidation of Cho’s election, a by-election will be held on the 16th of next month to fill the vacant Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education Superintendent position.

Regarding former Superintendent Kwak, Representative Han said, "Kwak, the so-called progressive superintendent who was convicted and served a prison sentence for bribing a candidate in a past superintendent election, is reportedly running again without returning the 3 billion KRW of public funds. Are you trying to teach our students that 'no means or methods should be spared for personal success' and 'just win by any means necessary'?"

Handonghun, the leader of the People Power Party, is speaking at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 9th. Photo by Kim Hyunmin kimhyun81@

Former Superintendent Kwak was elected as Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education Superintendent in 2010 but lost his position after the Supreme Court confirmed a 1-year prison sentence in September 2012 for giving 200 million KRW in bribes to unify with another progressive candidate in the election. He was reinstated in the 2019 New Year special pardon. However, even if he had not been reinstated, there would be no legal restrictions on his candidacy as the disqualification period (10 years) has passed. Kwak has not returned the 3 billion KRW in election reimbursement costs that should have been refunded to the national treasury.

Representative Han responded to the news of former Superintendent Kwak’s candidacy by saying, "Are you teaching students that no means or methods should be spared and that winning at all costs is acceptable?" He added, "Even in losing wrestling matches, there are basic rules such as not poking the eyes." He strongly protested, "Isn’t this bribing the opposing candidate with money?"

Representative Han introduced a bill proposed by fellow party member Representative Na Kyung-won, known as the so-called 'Kwak Nohyeon Prevention Act' (amendments to the Local Autonomy Education Act and Public Official Election Act), which aims to restrict candidacy for those who have not returned election expenses. He said, "To run for superintendent, a deposit must be paid. The election commission said they could not seize Kwak’s assets because there were none to seize for the 3 billion KRW, but once the election deposit is paid, seize it immediately and enforce it in cash."

He continued, "If the election deposit is seized, the effect of paying the deposit will be nullified. First, the 3 billion KRW must be recovered, and then we need to reconsider the very fact that Kwak is running. So, aside from creating new laws, the authorities must seize and forcibly execute the deposit once it is paid. That is what justice and common sense demand," he emphasized.

Floor leader Chu Kyung-ho also criticized, "(Former Superintendent Kwak) has not returned more than 3 billion KRW in election reimbursement costs even after 14 years since the invalidation of his election. And now he is running again?he has no conscience at all," calling him "the ultimate shameless person mocking the education of the Republic of Korea."