Dear editor,
I strongly agree with the March 12 editorial, ``Corrupt Educator,'' which claimed Superintendent Kong Jeong-taek should take responsibility for making a false assets report and being found guilty in a district court.
Despite public outcry for his resignation he is still trying to keep his position through an appeal to a higher court. Even though the higher court decision remains, he should step down from his post taking moral responsibility. He has already lost his legal and ethical credibility.
As a top educator who is in charge of education of 1.48 million school children in Seoul, he should have conducted transparent management. Educators should act differently from ordinary politicians because they must set an example to children.
There are good examples that Kong should follow. Two other superintendents of North Gyeongsang Province and South Chungcheong Province who were accused of bribery allegations have already resigned.
A major concern is that the false assets report is just the tip of the iceberg considering other big scandals. He was found to have borrowed 1.8 billion won from cram school operators for his campaign fund. Kong also allegedly received three million won from head of a school meal service firm.
He raised his campaign funds from those whom he would be supervising. Eventually he pushed his competition and market-oriented education policy because he received funds from various private education operators.
In this situation how can he normalize school education and reduce parents' increasing economic burden for private tutoring?
There is another example that shows Kong's unreasonable judgment. He asked for disciplinary action against 18 teachers because they were accused of supporting Kong's main rival during the campaign for the top educator's post in July last year. How could he blame those teachers when he is also suspected of being at fault?
I am really concerned about students who will take after Kong's irresponsibility. To be successful or get a high position, is it all right to do anything by any means even violating the law?
He should regret what he did and ask for forgiveness to those who supported him and became disappointed with his moral misjudgment. It is not too late for him to make a quick decision and resign to take responsibility for his shameful behavior.
Lee Joo-hee
Office worker
Seoul