THE KUKMIN DAILY

The Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office 5th Criminal Department on September 22 indicted without detention Chongshin University President Kim Yeong-wu (68), on suspicion of breach of trust and bribery. The prosecution indictment has been handed down more than a year after Park Mu-yong (the immediately preceding moderator of Presbyterian Church of Korea - Hapdong) filed charges against President Kim on September 20 last year.

Prior to PCK Hapdong’s 101st general assembly in September 2016, President Kim delivered 20 million won to then general assembly moderator Rev. Park, who immediately returned it and initiated legal action against Kim. The prosecutors surmise that President Kim, who at the time was a candidate for the post of pastor vice moderator, gave the money to Rev. Park as a request (for favorable action) during the selection process, when a dispute over his qualifications had arisen due to his dual employment (as Chongshin University president and as session moderator at Seocheoneup Church).

President Kim has continuously denied this suspicion. In October last year he issued a statement of his position that said, “I am being condemned for breach of trust and bribery…If this is confirmed through the legal process, I will resign as president.” Following his statement, as the controversy spread, the Chongshin University Faculty Association put out a statement urging “immediate resignation,” and from November, the Chongshin University students held demonstrations demanding that President Kim step down, but his position remained unchanged. (See Kukmin Daily, November 9, 2016, p. 30.)

In the top photo, taken on November 8 in front of the President's Office, Chongshin University President Kim Yeong-wu, second from left, explains his position to the students urging him to resign.

In a phone interview with Kukmin Daily, President Kim said, “Doesn’t the fact that the prosecution has dragged this out for a year indicate that there are many elements to be considered?” He added, “I have been indicted but not confirmed guilty. I will follow the law and regulations.” As to his course of action, he said, “I will simply follow the Private School Act, as a school president.”

Article 45 (removal from position and dismissal) of the Chongshin University Foundation Articles of Association clearly states, “Regarding an employee who has been indicted for a criminal offense, a position is not granted to him/her” This article therefore requires the immediate removal of President Kim from his post. On the other hand, Article 58, Clause 2 of the Private School Act, mentioned by President Kim, stipulates, “When an employee of a private school has been indicted in a criminal case, the employer of the concerned employee may or may not grant him/her a position.” This can be interpreted to mean that loss of the presidential position is not automatic, since termination is not absolutely required.

With President Kim now under prosecutorial indictment, the prospect is for a reigniting of the still-glowing coals of the “movement for the president’s resignation,” which had subsided since this past February. The Chongshin Faculty Association welcomed the prosecutors’ decision to indict Kim, saying, “The time is rather late, but now the opportunity has come to set Chongshin University to rights.” Faculty Association member “Prof. A” said in a phone conversation with Kukmin Daily, “After the lawsuit was filed in September last year, the investigation progress was so slow it was really frustrating, but since the indictment has materialized, in due course we will announce our position in a statement and demand ‘immediate resignation.’”

The Chongshin University students also plan to take action without delay. Kim Ja-eun, who chairs the Chongshin University Student Association’s special emergency committee, said, “We held an urgent meeting and decided to send a request to the acting board chairperson of Chongshin University, recommending that the president be dismissed.” Further, “Through big-character posters calling for the president’s resignation, the holding of prayer meetings for ‘Chongshin normalization’ and other activities, we will inform the students about the situation and appeal for their participation.”

Reporter Choi Ki-young (ky710@kmib.co.kr), with Marion Kim (marionkkim@icloud.com)


Original Article in Korean:
김영우 총신대 총장 불구속 기소, ‘총장 퇴진운동’ 불씨 재점화


Related Article:
1. Chongshin University Board Meeting Fails to Materialize
2. Chongshin University Inaugurates 6th President Rev. Kim Yeong-Wu