A bar fight leads to big police probe of corruption
Published: 22 Jan. 2010, 20:38
A full-scale police corruption investigation is about to commence at the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education after a drunken bar fight last month had an unexpected twist.
On Dec. 3, a man identified only as Im and a woman identified as Goh, were dragged into the Nowon Police Precinct in Seoul. Both 50 years old, the two had been drinking with their colleagues at a nearby bar when a fight between the two broke out.
During the fight, Goh clobbered Im’s head with her high heels. After searching for identification, the police found that the two were both school commissioners at the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education. Even while at the police station, the two continued their argument. In the heat of the moment, Goh reportedly blurted out, “This person [Im] took 20 million won ($17,452) from me saying that he would help me pass the exam to become school commissioner.”
Upon this spontaneous revelation, police started investigating further. Police say Goh confessed that in early 2008 when she was working as a teacher at a middle school in Seoul, Im requested money, promising that he would help her get high scores for the second stage of the school commissioner exam. She handed him 20 million won a few months later, she said.
Goh also told police that a teacher identifying himself only as Noh gave 10 million won to Im for a similar reason.
When the police called on Noh to investigate, they said at first he said that the money was only a loan and presented a promissory note. Police, however, said they found that Im had spent the check from Noh before the promissory note was written.
Eventually, police say Noh confessed that he gave Im the money in return for promising to put him through the school commissioner exam. Besides Noh, two other teachers were called to the Nowon Police Precinct for questioning.
The case is now being handled at the Seoul Western District Prosecutors’ Office. Last Monday, prosecutors arrested Im, charging him with bribery.
There is a great possibility that the case will expand to an investigation of the entire school commissioner exam division at the Seoul education office.
Prosecutors are particularly closing in on the fact that Im is not a member of the judging panel for the exam and that more people are likely involved.
At present, prosecutors are also investigating the source of 3 million won that was found inside Im’s car.
By Jeong Seon-eon [[email protected]]
On Dec. 3, a man identified only as Im and a woman identified as Goh, were dragged into the Nowon Police Precinct in Seoul. Both 50 years old, the two had been drinking with their colleagues at a nearby bar when a fight between the two broke out.
During the fight, Goh clobbered Im’s head with her high heels. After searching for identification, the police found that the two were both school commissioners at the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education. Even while at the police station, the two continued their argument. In the heat of the moment, Goh reportedly blurted out, “This person [Im] took 20 million won ($17,452) from me saying that he would help me pass the exam to become school commissioner.”
Upon this spontaneous revelation, police started investigating further. Police say Goh confessed that in early 2008 when she was working as a teacher at a middle school in Seoul, Im requested money, promising that he would help her get high scores for the second stage of the school commissioner exam. She handed him 20 million won a few months later, she said.
Goh also told police that a teacher identifying himself only as Noh gave 10 million won to Im for a similar reason.
When the police called on Noh to investigate, they said at first he said that the money was only a loan and presented a promissory note. Police, however, said they found that Im had spent the check from Noh before the promissory note was written.
Eventually, police say Noh confessed that he gave Im the money in return for promising to put him through the school commissioner exam. Besides Noh, two other teachers were called to the Nowon Police Precinct for questioning.
The case is now being handled at the Seoul Western District Prosecutors’ Office. Last Monday, prosecutors arrested Im, charging him with bribery.
There is a great possibility that the case will expand to an investigation of the entire school commissioner exam division at the Seoul education office.
Prosecutors are particularly closing in on the fact that Im is not a member of the judging panel for the exam and that more people are likely involved.
At present, prosecutors are also investigating the source of 3 million won that was found inside Im’s car.
By Jeong Seon-eon [[email protected]]
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
To write comments, please log in to one of the accounts.
Standards Board Policy (0/250자)