Seoul's education head convicted of election law violation

SEOUL, March 10 (Yonhap) -- Seoul's education chief was convicted of falsifying
his financial statement and was fined 1.5 million won (US$990), a sentence that
could cost him his position.
Kong Jeong-taek, superintendent of the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education,
intentionally omitted some 400 million won in his financial statement before
winning his post in July 2008, the Seoul Central District Court said in a
verdict.
Under current election law, a fine of over 1 million won results in immediate
expulsion from office if confirmed by the Supreme Court. Kong said he plans to
appeal.
The 72-year old won the first-ever direct election for the capital's top
education office. He vowed to push through conservative competition-driven
reforms advocated by President Lee Myung-bak. He was indicted last year on
charges of rigging his financial statement.
Kong was also accused of borrowing 109 million won, free of interest, from his
campaign manager. The court found him not guilty on that charge.
odissy@yna.co.kr
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