Yoo Seungmin's Daughter's 'Preferential Professor Appointment' Allegations... Police Conduct Search and Seizure at Incheon National University

Securing Recruitment Documents... Anti-Graft Act Specified in Warrant

The police have launched a compulsory investigation into allegations of preferential treatment regarding the appointment of Yoo Dam (31), daughter of former National Assembly member Yoo Seungmin, as a professor in the Department of International Trade at Incheon National University.

On the morning of January 23, the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Investigation Unit of the Incheon Metropolitan Police Agency conducted a search and seizure at the office of the Department of International Trade at Incheon National University and secured documents related to Professor Yoo's hiring. It is reported that the search and seizure warrant specified violations of the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act (the Anti-Graft Act) for one of the 23 individuals accused in this case.

Yoo Dam, daughter of former lawmaker Yoo Seungmin. Photo by Yonhap News

The police had initially received a complaint on November 4 of last year regarding alleged violations of the Public Records Management Act. However, during the investigation, they detected signs of improper solicitation and subsequently applied charges under the Anti-Graft Act.

It has not been confirmed who specifically is subject to the Anti-Graft Act in this case. A police official stated, "We have secured the necessary evidence to prove the allegations, but cannot disclose specific details."

On November 4 of last year, the police received a complaint requesting an investigation into Incheon National University President Lee Injae, the personnel team of the academic affairs office, members of the hiring review committee, and those responsible for managing hiring records-a total of 23 people-on charges of violating the Public Records Management Act. The police have been investigating since then. Prior to the search and seizure, the police summoned Incheon National University staff as suspects to investigate the entire hiring process of Professor Yoo.

The complainant argued that the hiring process for Professor Yoo was unfair and claimed that Incheon National University, as a public institution, failed to retain hiring-related documents that should be permanently preserved according to the "New Full-time Faculty Appointment Guidelines."

Yoo Dam, daughter of former lawmaker Yoo Seungmin. Photo by Yonhap News

Professor Yoo was hired as a full-time faculty member in the Department of International Trade at the College of Global Policy and Trade at Incheon National University for the second semester of last year, and allegations of preferential treatment were raised during the National Assembly audit.

At the time, the office of Assemblywoman Jin Sunmi of the Democratic Party of Korea stated in a reference document, "The Department of International Trade at Incheon National University had conducted four rounds of full-time faculty recruitment prior to Professor Yoo's appointment, but did not hire anyone due to a lack of qualified applicants." They further asserted, "According to Article 36 of the New Full-time Faculty Appointment Guidelines at Incheon National University, hiring-related documents must be permanently preserved, but all information and documents of the applicants have been destroyed."

However, Incheon National University maintains that the hiring review was conducted fairly in accordance with internal guidelines and procedures.