Court to decide Kwak’s fate

The embattled top educator of Seoul may have to face the music Friday, officials said, as the court was expected to make decision upon an arrest warrant sought by prosecutors.

Prosecutors asked the court on Tuesday to issue an arrest warrant on Seoul’s education superintendent Kwak No-hyun on allegations that he bought a rival candidate out of last year’s election to win the position.

After two days of questioning Kwak, investigators at the Seoul Central Prosecutors’ Office were said to have reached a conclusion that the 200 million won ($187,000) handed over the Park Myoung-gee was in return for his departure from the race in support of Kwak. Park, who was named an adviser to the education office in June, is already under arrest.

While prosecutors believe they have enough evidence to have Kwan arrested, his attorney claims it excessive to have the top educator locked up without any possibility of him escaping or deliberately destroying evidence.

Should the court grant the arrest of Kwak, the vice superintendent will immediately take over his position. Kwak appeared at the court Friday as the court held an investigation to determine the warrant’s validity before announcing its decision.

The Seoul superintendent has denied all allegations so far, insisting the 200 million won was given to Park only to help him out from mounting debts from the election campaign. He also denies knowledge of IOUs prosecutors found during investigation. Investigators believe they were written to disguise the bribe as a loan.

Kwak, once championed for his progressive education policy and beliefs, has not only tarnished his own image but is threatening the fate of his party ahead of the Seoul mayor vote next month. The allegations against Kwak came more as a shock for voters who chose him due to his clean image.

The election law here prohibits any provision of benefits, be it money or a job, to a candidate in return for giving up of the race. A breach of the rule is punishable by imprisonment of up to 7 years and fines of 5 million won to 30 million won.

Kang, a professor of Korea National Open University, wired the 200 million won on behalf of Kwak to bank accounts of Park’s brother in four installments between February and March.

Kwak, a former law professor, has said that he would fight to clear his name.

By Shin Hae-in
(hayney@heraldcorp.com)