Hyeon Ju-yeop: "Unauthorized Absence for No. 18? That Never Happened... I Will Correct It Immediately"

Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education Demands Salary Reduction for Hyun Joo-yeop from Huimun High School Foundation

Hyun Joo-yeop, the head coach of the Whimoon High School basketball team, who is suspected of leaving his workplace without permission for broadcasting activities such as mukbang (eating broadcasts), denied the allegations on the 25th, stating that "there was no unauthorized absence."

On the 25th, the law firm Roflex, representing Coach Hyun, released a statement saying, "The Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education recently requested a minor disciplinary action against Whimoon High School on the grounds that Mr. Hyun left his workplace without permission," adding, "However, Mr. Hyun did not leave his workplace without permission, and he strongly denies these claims."

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Earlier, the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education requested a salary reduction, a minor disciplinary action, against Coach Hyun for leaving his workplace without permission 18 times. A salary reduction is considered a minor disciplinary action along with a reprimand. Since Whimoon High School is a private school, the authority for personnel and disciplinary actions lies with the foundation, so the education office cannot directly impose discipline. In the audit report, the education office stated that Coach Hyun "should have used leave or annual leave for outside activities such as broadcasting, but left without prior approval, neglecting his primary duties as a coach." It also explained that from November 2023 to February 2024, during Coach Hyun's broadcasting activities, someone was employed to replace his coaching role without proper hiring procedures or compensation, violating related laws.

In response, Coach Hyun's side explained, "Mr. Hyun applied for permission for concurrent employment at Whimoon High School around December 13, 2023, and we understand that he subsequently received approval from the school," adding, "Furthermore, according to Article 3 of the 'Full-time Basketball Coach Contract' with Whimoon High School, there are objective materials confirming that the insufficient working hours were compensated by substitute work on holidays."

They continued, "Regarding the claim of unauthorized absence pointed out in the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education's audit results, it is clearly confirmed through materials such as competition participation videos, photos of vehicles taken at the school gate, call logs, and text messages that there was no absence from the workplace," adding, "Whimoon High School filed an administrative lawsuit against the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education at the end of last month, requesting the cancellation of the disciplinary action. Mr. Hyun will participate in this lawsuit and continue all legal measures to correct misunderstandings."

Meanwhile, this controversy began earlier this year when a parent of a student at Whimoon High School submitted a petition to the education office regarding Coach Hyun's negligence of duties.