By Shim Jae-yun
Staff Reporter
President Roh Moo-hyun on Friday accepted the resignation offered by Vice Culture and Tourism Minister Oh Jee-chul over the suspicion he improperly used his influence to help a pro-administration media chief’s wife get the job of a professor on the faculty of a Seoul university.
``Oh’s resignation was accepted as most allegations surrounding him was found true according to the midterm results of the investigations,’’ said presidential spokesman Kim Jong-min during a media briefing.
The civil affairs department of Chong Wa Dae, however, has yet to come up with the final outcome of its investigation over the recent case, not being able to determine whether newly-appointed Culture and Tourism Minister Chung Dong-chae was involved. A professor who first made the allegation claimed that Oh had acted on Chung’s instructions and stepped in. The result is expected on Monday.
The influence-peddling scandal has been drawing increasing attention as it centers around Minister Chung, Roh’s protege, who is said to be heading the government’s effort to revamp the mass media sector.
Officials said Chong Wa Dae has tentatively concluded the assertion by professor Jung Jin-su of Sungkyunkwan University lacked substantial evidence that Minister Chung had engaged in the episode.
``We could not find any compelling evidence of Chung’s involvement in the case and need time for further investigation,’’ said Park Jung-kyu, senior presidential secretary for civil affairs.
He added his office would be able to submit the final result around July 5.
The vice minister was found to have asked the Sungkyunkwan University professor to provide a favor to the wife of Seo Young-seok, head of Internet media ``Surprise.’’
The professor claimed Oh used the name of Chung while asking for the favor while Oh and Minister Chung have flatly rebuffed the assertion.
Earlier, the civil affairs department officials questioned the professor for one hour at a coffee shop in Seoul about the scandal.
jayshim@koreatimes.co.kr
