Court reinstates head of history foundation suspended over spending allegations

A court has overturned the administrative suspension of Park Ji-hyang, the president of the Northeast Asian History Foundation. The suspension, imposed by the Ministry of Education, was based on allegations of spending approximately 40 million won on unbudgeted items, including trips to Dokdo and Ulleungdo, and forums. The ministry had stated that Park's actions constituted serious misconduct and potentially embezzlement.

However, the Seoul Administrative Court ruled that there was insufficient evidence to conclude that the expenditures were outside the foundation's budget for "Dokdo and East Sea Research and Dissemination." The court also questioned whether Park had the intent to embezzle funds. The ruling stated that suspending the disciplinary action was necessary to prevent irreparable harm to Park and that the suspension would not significantly harm public interest.

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There is insufficient evidence to conclude whether the expenditure falls under unbudgeted expenses and whether Park had the intent of embezzlement.

Park is expected to return to work on October 25. The case gained attention last year when President Lee Jae-myung questioned Park about the "Hwandangogi," a text considered a forgery by academics, during a ministry briefing. Park's response, suggesting professional researchers' arguments were more persuasive than those of "amateur historians," drew criticism. The presidential office later clarified that the president did not endorse or order research into the text.

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It is recognized that there is an urgent need to prevent irreparable harm to Park from the execution of the said disposition, and there is no data to acknowledge that it corresponds to a case where public welfare is significantly affected by the execution of the disposition.