"Director of Seoul Scholarship Dormitory Resigns Amid Growing Controversy Over Five Convictions Including Three for Drunk Driving"

Controversy Erupts Over Appointment of Director With Five Prior Convictions
No Legal Issues, but Social Media Outcry Grows
Director Han Submits Resignation

Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province Seoul Scholarship Dormitory

Han Heekyung, the director of the Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province Seoul Scholarship Dormitory, who became the subject of controversy due to a record of five prior convictions including drunk driving, has submitted her resignation.

According to Jeonbuk Province on the 10th, Director Han submitted her resignation to the Jeonbuk Lifelong Education and Scholarship Promotion Foundation, which is both the appointing and sponsoring institution. It is reported that after her past record became public through media reports, Han was unable to hide her embarrassment and deeply contemplated her position. When submitting her resignation, she reportedly said, "I apologize for failing to meet the expectations of the residents," and added, "I wanted to serve the community and children, so I regret missing this opportunity."

The Seoul Scholarship Dormitory, operated under a private consignment by the Jeonbuk Lifelong Education and Scholarship Promotion Foundation, was established in 1992 to support university students from Jeonbuk who study in Seoul. Located in Bangbae-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul, the dormitory currently houses about 300 students.

Han, who was appointed as director on September 1, is originally from Jeonju and has been active in politics, serving as Director of the Women’s Bureau of the Jeonbuk Provincial Chapter of the Democratic Party, Vice Chairperson of the National Women’s Committee of the Democratic Party, and Co-Representative of the Yeomin Forum. She succeeded a proportional representative seat in the Jeonbuk Provincial Council for the Democratic Party after the previous council member lost their seat due to a violation of the Public Official Election Act, serving as a provincial council member for six months from January 2018.

Director Han became embroiled in controversy after it was revealed that she had a total of five convictions: three for drunk driving, one for driving without a license, and one for violating the Public Official Election Act. There are reportedly no legal issues with her appointment under the Public Official Election Act and the Local Public Officials Act. While these laws restrict hiring for up to 10 years after the completion or confirmation of a sentence, all of Han’s convictions occurred 12 to 13 years ago.

However, online commenters reacted strongly, saying, "What will you teach the next generation?", "If a student drinks and stays out all night, you’ll have nothing to say," and "Dismiss all drunk drivers from public office."