Seoul National University is facing turmoil in its search for the 29th president. Allegations of misconduct against candidates Kang Jun-ho, Choi Hae-cheon, and Lee Jae-young have emerged just before the board's interviews, leading to delays that extend beyond typical negative campaigning.
A key aspect of this situation is the clash between the university's independent audit system and the impending "post-verification bomb" that will follow the board's final candidate selection. The institutional independence and composition of the audit team allow for strict adherence to principles without political considerations.
Unlike many universities where audit functions are handled by human resources teams, Seoul National University has an independent audit organization that operates outside the president's office. Typically, a seasoned external auditor from the Board of Audit and Inspection oversees the process, while the audit team is composed of internal staff with relevant expertise. Although not all team members are from the audit board, the investigation is conducted under the direct supervision of an experienced auditor, ensuring that political pressures do not compromise the integrity of the process.
According to reports from Aju Economy on November 5, specific allegations received by the board and the president's office are currently undergoing formal investigation by the audit team. The board had initially planned to conduct final interviews on November 8, but the possibility of delaying the official announcement remains open. A significant concern is that even if the board selects a final candidate, the audit team's investigation will continue on a separate track.
Given these circumstances, two main scenarios are being discussed within the university. The first, considered the most prudent, is to further delay the "final voting and selection schedule" until the audit results are available. This would allow for a thorough examination of any potential disqualifications before the final vote. However, this could lead to concerns about a leadership vacuum due to delays in selecting the next president, and there are practical challenges in the board reversing its schedule again.
As an alternative, the board may proceed with the selection as planned but consider the audit team's "interim report" as part of its decision-making process. Before the final vote on November 8, the audit team could provide the board with an assessment of the severity of any misconduct and the status of the investigation, allowing the board to factor this information into its voting.
One of the primary concerns among university members is the possibility that the board could select a candidate who is implicated in the allegations before the investigation is concluded. If serious disqualifying factors or misconduct are confirmed after the board's recommendation, the university could face an unprecedented leadership crisis, including the withdrawal of the recommendation and potential legal disputes among candidates.
Even if the allegations are ultimately unfounded, the prolonged audit process could have significant administrative repercussions. The selection of the university president requires approval from the Minister of Education and the President, and if the internal audit is not resolved in time, a leadership gap could occur before the new president's term begins in February.
Conversely, if the board preemptively excludes a candidate involved in the allegations to avoid post-selection fallout, it could trigger backlash from that candidate's supporters and lead to procedural legitimacy disputes, potentially igniting further political conflict.
This situation has also sparked criticism that the preliminary verification conducted by the Presidential Candidate Recommendation Committee was merely a formality, limited to reviewing documents related to the seven major corruption offenses for high-ranking officials. The involvement of the audit team has heightened tensions within the university.
A source familiar with the situation at Seoul National University stated, "To secure the minimum legitimacy as president, the strict standards of the university and the state must be applied equally to all candidates, including regular faculty members. Even if the election schedule is delayed and the campus atmosphere becomes chaotic, it is essential to thoroughly address all allegations at this opportunity."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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