Seoul education chief faces criticism over public lectures

Seoul’s education chief Moon Yong-lin has faced a wave of criticism on Tuesday for delivering lectures four times higher than average and securing total of 4 million won ($3,770) in fees.

According to the data submitted by the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education, he has given 16 lectures since his inauguration on Dec. 20, 2012, as of Sept. 12.

A lawmaker of the main opposition Democratic Party questioned whether Moon put his private gains before his official duty, pointing out that some of his lectures took place during office hours.

The average number of lectures other education chiefs delivered was less than five per year, and the average income was estimated to be less than 1 million won.

Critics said his lectures might be linked to the forthcoming local elections in June 2014.

By Im Woo-jung, Intern reporter
(iwj@heraldcorp.com)