Sookmyung Women’s University president Han Young-sil will stay in office for the time being, according to a court ruling released Friday.
According to the Seoul Western District Court, officials decided to put a temporary hold on Han dismissal, which came after an emergency board meeting earlier this month.
Han had applied for an injunction regarding the decision which was made during an impromptu meeting in a Kimpo Airport caf at 7 a.m. on March 22, held by university board head Lee Yong-tae.
Shortly before that Lee was relieved of his position after an internal dispute regarding outside donations to the school.
Court officials put the hold on Han’s dismissal citing a procedural rule which calls for the board to announce the agenda of its meeting seven days beforehand.
“There is a procedural problem with the board of directors’ decision to relieve president Han,” said the court ruling.
“The resolution is invalid because prior to the meeting the board did not notify each member of the reason for Han’s dismissal.”
Before Han’s dismissal the Education Ministry notified Han and five auditors of their terminations for misappropriation of school donations.
By Robert Lee (
robert@heraldcorp.com)
