Ex-presidential aide probed
Song Kwang-yong
Song Kwang-yong, a former senior presidential secretary for education, is being investigated in connection with an unauthorized overseas study program Seoul National University of Education ran under his leadership.
Song was the university’s president before being appointed a presidential secretary in June.
He resigned abruptly last week, triggering rampant speculation about the reason.
Police officers questioned Song at the Seocho Police Station in Seoul three days before President Park Geun-hye named him education secretary.
This is the latest indication that Cheong Wa Dae’s screening system for candidates for ranking government posts is not working properly, critics say.
Explaining why Song abruptly quit, the presidential office said only that he “wanted to return to teaching.”
According to police, Song is one of the former and incumbent heads of 17 national and private universities who have been investigated in connection with the universities’ suspected violation of the Higher Education Act.
The universities ran overseas study programs for students who wanted to get diplomas from foreign universities, without permission from the government, police said.
The case has been referred to the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office.
Depending on the investigation results, Song may face indictment.