Former Lawmaker Yoo Seung-min and Incheon National University President Referred to Prosecutors Over Allegations of Preferential Hiring of Daughter

Former lawmaker Yoo Seung-min has been referred to the prosecution service over allegations of preferential treatment in the appointment of his 32-year-old daughter, Yu Dam, as a professor in the Department of International Trade at Incheon National University.

The Anti-Corruption and Economic Crime Investigation Unit of the Incheon Metropolitan Police Agency announced that it has forwarded four individuals, including former lawmaker Yoo and Incheon National University President Lee In-jae, to the prosecution without detention on charges of obstruction of business.

Among them, President Lee and two Incheon National University professors were also charged with violating the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act.


Former lawmaker Yoo and the others are accused of obstructing the university's hiring process when Professor Yu was recruited as a professor in the Department of International Trade at the College of Global Politics and Law during the second semester of last year.

President Lee and one other person are also accused of receiving illegal solicitations regarding Professor Yu's recruitment, though no evidence of accepting money or valuables has been found.

The police received a related complaint 11 months ago in November of last year, investigating 23 suspects initially, and later additionally booking three more individuals, including former lawmaker Yoo.

However, out of the total 26 suspects, the remaining 22, excluding the four referred to the prosecution, were decided not to be forwarded as no charges were recognized.

Professor Yu, the central figure in these suspicions, underwent only a single written questioning session.

The police did not book Professor Yu as they were unable to confirm any criminal charges against her.

A police official stated, "We conducted investigations questioning 29 people, including suspects and reference witnesses, carried out 39 rounds of investigation, secured evidence through four search and seizure operations, and referred the suspects whose charges were recognized."

(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.