Gwangju Office of Education 'Hiring Scandal' Sparks Controversy...Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union Demands Truth

"It Is Unlikely That Score Manipulation Was Orchestrated Alone"
Gwangju Branch Urges Superintendent Lee Jeongseon to Explain

Regarding the alleged hiring corruption involving the Gwangju Metropolitan Office of Education's audit officer, the Gwangju branch of the Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union (KTU) has called for a responsible explanation from Superintendent Lee Jeongseon.

Jungseon Lee, Superintendent of Gwangju Metropolitan Office of Education. Photo by Yonhap News

On the 21st, the Gwangju branch of the KTU released a statement saying, "Although it is somewhat belated, the arrest of Mr. A is an appropriate measure," and added, "We hope this incident will serve as an opportunity to correct the personnel-related suspicions at the Gwangju Office of Education."

Previously, on the 20th, the prosecution arrested Mr. A, the former head of the personnel team at the Gwangju Metropolitan Office of Education, on charges including obstruction of official duties by fraudulent means. Mr. A is accused of being involved in manipulating scores during the 2022 recruitment process for the audit officer in order to select Superintendent Lee's high school classmate. The court issued an arrest warrant for Mr. A, citing concerns over possible destruction of evidence.

The KTU stated, "It is a reasonable suspicion that anyone would have that the hiring of Superintendent Lee's high school classmate as the audit officer at the Gwangju Office of Education could not have been orchestrated solely by Mr. A, the then personnel team leader," and insisted, "The arrest of Mr. A by the prosecution should not be the end of the investigation, but the beginning of uncovering the main figures behind this corruption case."

They added, "We believe this investigation will serve as an opportunity to correct the various personnel-related suspicions that are spreading within the Gwangju Office of Education."

The KTU urged, "Superintendent Lee, who has always emphasized integrity, must now reveal the whole truth and take responsibility," and added, "Corruption does not exist only in Yongsan. The superintendent should not miss this opportunity and must demonstrate a responsible attitude."