Superintendent Kim Daejung Cleared of 'House Rental' Allegations... Police Conclude 'No Charges'

Jeonnam Provincial Police Close Bribery and Embezzlement Complaint with "No Suspicion"
Police Find "No Preferential Treatment" in Rental and Asset Increase Allegations

Kim Daejung, Superintendent of Education of Jeollanam-do, who had been under suspicion of receiving preferential treatment in renting a house owned by a supplier to the provincial office of education, has been cleared of all charges as a result of a police investigation. With this, Superintendent Kim has been able to shake off the judicial risks that emerged after his inauguration and can now focus on educational administration.

According to the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crime Investigation Unit 1 of the Jeonnam Provincial Police Agency and the Jeollanam-do Office of Education on the 12th, the police recently decided not to refer Superintendent Kim to the prosecution, concluding that there was "no suspicion" regarding the allegations of bribery, embezzlement, and violations of the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act that had been filed against him. This decision came about four months after the Jeonnam branch of the Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union (KTU) filed a complaint in October last year.

Kim Daejung, Superintendent of Jeollanam-do Office of Education

Previously, the Jeonnam branch of the KTU had raised suspicions of bribery and preferential treatment, claiming that Superintendent Kim had lived for about two years starting in 2023 in a traditional Korean-style house near the office of education that was owned by a supplier. It also requested an investigation, arguing that the background behind the increase in the net assets of Superintendent Kim and his spouse was unclear.

However, the police investigation found that the allegations were not true. The police confirmed that all monthly rent payments for the house had been made normally and determined that, considering the going rates in the surrounding area, the amount could not reasonably be regarded as preferential treatment.

No incriminating evidence was found regarding the suspicion of unjust enrichment of assets either. The police conducted a comprehensive analysis of Superintendent Kim and his spouse's salary and pension income, the proceeds from the sale of an inherited house, and their loan records, and concluded that the sources of funds were clear. This also aligns with the explanation from Superintendent Kim’s side that "the cost of remodeling the house was covered by loans, which increased their debt."

In a police interview in January, Superintendent Kim strongly denied the allegations, stating, "I rented the house in accordance with lawful procedures, and after I became aware of the landlord's identity, I felt a moral responsibility and immediately moved out." With the police decision not to refer the case, the claim from Superintendent Kim’s side that the accusations were "indiscriminate suspicion-raising" has gained more weight.

The Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) also decided not to exercise its authority to request that the case be transferred from the police, effectively setting the case on a path to closure. Although a procedure remains under which the prosecution can request a reinvestigation within 90 days, the legal community largely views the possibility of the outcome being overturned as low, given that the conclusion was reached after an extended, intensive investigation by the police, including prolonged account tracing.

A local education official predicted, "As Superintendent Kim has resolved his judicial risks, it appears that the implementation of his key campaign pledges, such as the Jeollanam-do-style educational autonomy, will now gain momentum."