SNU students oppose Cho's return

A poster on a bulletin board in front of Seoul National University's law school building, Wednesday, calls for dismissal of former Justice Minister Cho Kuk who returned to his teaching job at the school. /Yonhap

By Bahk Eun-ji

Former Justice Minister Cho Kuk has returned to his former job as a professor at Seoul National University, but is facing a cold shoulder from students.

More than 90 percent of them disapprove of his return, saying they don't want a professor involved in various corruption allegations, which plunged the country into political and social turmoil.

According to the school, Wednesday, Cho faxed a request asking to return to his teaching job to the school around 6 p.m. Monday, about 20 minutes after President Moon Jae-in accepted his resignation. Earlier in the day, after announcing a set of prosecutorial reform measures, he offered to resign amid pressure over the corruption scandals involving him and his family members.

Cho first took a leave of absence from teaching in May 2017 after being appointed senior presidential secretary for civil affairs. He left the position in July this year and returned to the school, Aug. 1, but applied for leave again 40 days later after he was nominated for the ministerial position. According to the school's regulations, there is no limit to the amount of leave a professor can take when appointed to a government position, and they are allowed to return to the faculty by sending a request within 30 days after their public service ends.

His second request to return this time was accepted the next day, though he is unlikely to give any lectures this semester. Cho joined SNU's law school in 2009.

But his return and the school's approval have caused a backlash among students.

On Tuesday a poll was started on SNULife, an online community of SNU students, asking them whether they agreed or disagreed with his return as a professor. More than 2,500 students participated in the poll and over 94 percent voted against Cho's return.

Around 350 postings have been also uploaded denouncing Cho's return.

"Cho is the person who split public opinion so broadly. He has lost his qualification as a law professor, so he should never come back to this university," one student wrote.

"Do not damage this school's reputation any more. The Student Council and Alumni Association should clearly declare their opposition to his return," another said.

"If you feel any guilt, never come back. Don't ignore our students' efforts and time to expel you from this school."

Some said it was not the right time for him to come back as the investigation into Cho and his family has not been concluded yet.

"If he and his family are found guilty, he should be dismissed, so we cannot leave him to stand at the podium."

Some students showed their opposition offline, putting a poster up near the law school, where Cho will work, calling on the university president to dismiss him as they say he lied too much regarding the allegations.

In a separate public poll by Realmeter, Wednesday, 62.6 percent of 502 people said Cho's resignation was a "good decision," while 28.6 percent said it was not. Another 8.8 percent said they were not sure.

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