Prosecutors Search Gwangju Education Superintendent's Office... Expanding Investigation into Auditor Recruitment Irregularities

Superintendent Lee Jeongseon Under Direct Investigation
Mobile Phone Also Seized by Prosecutors

The investigation into irregularities in the recruitment of an inspector has reached the office of the Gwangju Superintendent of Education.

According to the legal community on the 26th, the Anti-Corruption and Violent Crimes Division of the Gwangju District Prosecutors' Office (headed by Chief Prosecutor Jo Jeongho) conducted a search and seizure at the Gwangju Office of Education on this day, securing both the office and mobile phone of Superintendent Lee Jeongseon. This move is interpreted as the prosecution expanding its investigation into the inspector recruitment scandal to higher-level officials.

Gwangju District Prosecutors' Office. Photo by Song Bohyun

This investigation stems from the case of Officer A from the Gwangju Office of Education, who was previously arrested and indicted. In August 2022, while serving as head of the personnel team at the city education office, Officer A was indicted on charges of obstruction of official duties by fraudulent means for allegedly asking evaluation committee members to alter scores in the process of hiring an inspector, who was a high school classmate of Superintendent Lee. The first trial is expected to be held soon.

According to the results of an audit by the Board of Audit and Inspection, Officer A was found to have induced evaluation committee members to adjust scores in favor of a particular candidate by stating, "It would be better if the inspector is not someone too young." During this process, it was revealed that Superintendent Lee's personal connection influenced the hiring, leading to criticism both inside and outside the education sector.

Prosecutors are conducting an additional investigation into whether there were instructions or interventions from higher-ups, separate from Officer A's case, and the search and seizure conducted on this day is seen as part of that extension. However, it has not yet been confirmed whether Superintendent Lee will be formally booked as a suspect.

Teacher organizations and civic groups in the Gwangju area have been demanding a responsible explanation and apology from the superintendent, as well as a thorough investigation into higher-level officials, since Officer A's arrest. Attention is focused on how far the prosecution will expand this case.