Seoul City defends Chung's misconduct
By Jung Min-ho
Chung Myung-whun
The Seoul Metropolitan Government decided to retain Chung Myung-whun as music director for the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra (SPO), Thursday.
“We thought Chung’s alleged wrongdoings were not a major issue. But we still plan to do something about any ill-gotten gains,” Seoul Vice Mayor Jung Hyo-sung told reporters.
An audit conducted by the city found that Chung has extensively abused his position, recommending he reimburse a significant sum of money.
The vice mayor’s explanation contradicts an ordinance revised on the initiative of Mayor Park Won-soon last year to punish officials for taking even 1,000 won ($1) in bribes to eradicate corruption.
“Tickets for his performance were already sold before his previous contract expired on Dec. 31. We considered the disappointment the cancellation of the performance might cause people,” Jung said.
The minor Justice Party, which advocates the same progressive platform as Park, immediately issued a statement calling on him to stand by his anti-corruption decree and fire Chung.
The city government said it only signed a “provisional contract” with Chung for another year.
Jung, however, hinted that it may not extend the contract when it expires at the end of this year.
Critics have accused Park of using double standards in his handling of ethics issues, saying the world-class maestro still remains “untouchable.”
According to what is being dubbed as the “Park Won-soon Law,” any official who improperly receives more than 1 million won will be dismissed from his or her post as a minimum penalty, regardless of whether the money was for political favors or not.
During his 10-year stint with the SPO, Chung was found to have arranged for his family members to use airplane tickets, which were supposed to be for his manager, from 2006 to 2011. The cost of the tickets was 13 million won.
If found guilty of illegality in court, Chung could face up to 10 years in prison or 30 million won ($28,000) in fines. But he won’t, as Seoul will not file a complaint with police against him.
Since the disclosure of Chung’s ethical lapses, no measures have been addressed by the city or SPO, and no one has apologized for them.
Critics believe those who are on the city’s payroll should adhere to the same ethical standards. Last year alone, about 11 billion won of taxpayers’ money was poured into the SPO to keep it afloat.
The mayor and the vice mayor might want to learn how a British court ruled on a fraud case brought against Janet Whitehouse, the director of the 190-year-old Royal Academy of Music.
In 2012, she was sentenced to 20 months in prison after defrauding the institution of 236,000 pounds. One of the charges brought against her was allowing her son to live rent-free in Royal Academy-owned accommodation.
In her ruling, Judge Deborah Taylor said, “No doubt you worked hard for the benefit of the academy, and it’s never pleasant to sentence someone of your obvious quality and ability who has suffered such a fall from grace.
“But you abused your position to enrich yourself and benefit your family by three different means.”