At the National Assembly Education Committee's audit, the issue of Woongdong Academy, a school corporation in Jinhae-gu, Changwon, Gyeongnam, previously operated by the family of Cho Kuk, Emergency Committee Chair of the Cho Kuk Innovation Party, was brought to the forefront. The focus was on the failure to return assets to society and the handling of the academy's debt.
Seo Ji-young, a lawmaker from the People Power Party, criticized during the audit held at the Gyeongnam Office of Education on the 23rd, saying, "After Cho Kuk was released from prison, his family stepped down from the management of the Woongdong Academy foundation. I believe the Woongdong Academy incident is the epitome of the Cho family’s corrupt, dynastic management of private schools and that the issue remains unresolved."
People Power Party lawmaker Seo Ji-young is questioning at the National Assembly Education Committee's audit held at the Gyeongnam Office of Education. Photo by Lee Se-ryung
Seo asked Paek Jonghun, Superintendent of Gyeongnam Provincial Office of Education, "Six years ago, Mr. Cho announced the return of assets to society, but since then, there has been nothing that could be called a social contribution. What exactly constitutes returning assets to society?"
Superintendent Paek responded, "There are ways such as converting it to a public institution or allowing an organization or group serving the public interest to operate it."
Seo pressed further, "Then why did you stand by for six years without taking action?"
Paek Jonghun, Superintendent of Gyeongnam Provincial Office of Education, is responding to a lawmaker's question at the National Assembly Education Committee's audit held at the Gyeongnam Provincial Office of Education. Photo by Lee Seryeong
Superintendent Paek replied, "It is unfair to say that we stood by and did nothing. We requested and received a debt repayment plan, and last September, the creditor Korea Asset Management Corporation, the foundation, and our office formed a tripartite consultative body."
Seo pointed out, "Woongdong Academy submitted a plan to repay its debt over 10 years, but out of the 9.1 billion won in debt, only 100 million won-just 1% of the total-has been repaid over the past six years. Watching this unfold as it is amounts to negligence on the part of the superintendent."
She continued, "During your 12-year tenure as superintendent, Woongdong Academy has neither kept its promise to return assets to society nor addressed its dynastic management and corrupt practices. I believe your entire tenure has been a period of condoning Woongdong Academy’s corruption."
Repayment status of Woongdong Academy debt presented by Seo Ji-young, a member of the People Power Party, at the National Assembly Education Committee's audit held at the Gyeongnam Office of Education. Screenshot from National Assembly Broadcasting YouTube.
She further stressed, "Until the end of your term, you must take an active role in ensuring the repayment of Woongdong Academy’s debts and, if necessary, even pursue dissolution. This is your final responsibility to restore the honor of education in Gyeongnam."
She added, "When Woongdong Academy exits and this matter is resolved, it will mark an honorable retirement for you. Otherwise, you will be seen as an accomplice who condoned and stood by dynastic management and corruption."
Seo also stated, "Woongdong Academy is a private school that should disappear during your term as superintendent. Please ensure a proper conclusion, including issuing corrective orders or, if necessary, an order for dissolution, so that you do not stand by or condone this situation and can retire with honor."
Superintendent Paek responded, "I promise to do my utmost to resolve this issue, in line with your remarks."
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