Seoul education chief loses job after top court upholds suspended sentence for power abuse

The Supreme Court on Thursday upheld a suspended sentence for Seoul education chief Cho Hee-yeon on charges of abuse of power in connection with the reinstatement of dismissed teachers years ago, stripping him of his post as the city's top education official. The top court handed down the 18-month prison term to the superintendent of the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education. The court suspended the sentence for two years, meaning that he will not have to serve prison time if he stays out of trouble during that period. Under the laws, a superintendent must resign if a sentence of imprisonment or greater is confirmed. Cho was indicted in 2018 for allegedly abusing his power to reinstate five dismissed teachers, including former members of a teachers' labor union. Cho was elected as Seoul's education chief for the third time in 2022, with a four-year term. The by-election to elect the next education chief is scheduled for Oct. 16. Source: Yonhap News Agency