Chief’s absence to hamper Seoul education office in securing free meal budget


The arrest of Seoul educational superintendent Kwak No-hyun is expected to pose a severe setback to the free school meal program and other liberal policies.
Regardless of whether the 200 million won ($185,000) he gave to Park Myoung-gee, a rival candidate from the same liberal bloc, was in exchange for his withdrawal from the race, it seems his major projects will be on hold.

According to the Seoul Central District Court, the court ruling to issue an arrest warrant for Kwak was based on the possibility of him attempting to destroy evidence. If the prosecution indicts him, Kwak, currently in custody, will be automatically suspended from his job until the verdict.

Legal experts said given the complexity and political significance of his arrest and potential indictment, it may take more than six months for a local court to rule on the charges. It may take up to a year and a half ― until the presidential election scheduled in next December ― if the case should go to the Supreme Court. If convicted, Kwak will lose his seat.

While the municipal government has already filed for the nullification of the free meal plan with a local court, the absence of the plan’s architect is expected to become an obstacle for the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education in securing funds for the execution for this year, observers say.

“His arrest may lose what the liberals have gained through the referendum last month. The public might turn a cold shoulder to whatever Kwak was pushing out of a sense of betrayal,” an observer said.

“If a conservative figure gets elected as Seoul mayor at the by-election on Oct. 26, students may not be able to receive free meals at all.”

The news is also a shock to the liberal camp, encouraged by the victory of the referendum and dreaming of a progressive or liberal mayor.

“Oh’s resignation has brought conservative supporters together. Now that Kwak is accused of irregularities, one thing he promoted himself to be immune from, the liberals may face a backlash from conservatives,” a political observer said.

“If the media keeps highlighting the accusations on daily basis and the court reveals more misdeeds by Kwak, people will no longer trust him and the liberals in general. This is something the liberals dread. Unless a superstar or a strong dark horse emerges, the liberal candidate may struggle in the election.”

By Bae Ji-sook (baejisook@heraldcorp.com)