Ex-Aide Uses Law School List for Campaign

A former presidential secretary for public relations is using a university’s successful bid to open a law school to boost his parliamentary election campaign.

Yun Seung-yong is found to have registered campaign publicity material saying he contributed to Wonkwang University’s selection for a law school permit two days before the announcement of the list of schools.

He was apparently aware of Wonkwang’s inclusion before the announcement. Election law bars candidates from posting false information on campaign publicity materials.

Considering the gravity of the matter, critics said Yun’s claim of wielding influence on the selection process is not an exaggeration.

An election management committee in Iksan, North Jeolla Province, said yesterday that Yun registered the publicity materials in question Tuesday last week. On the front cover was the phrase, “Yun Seung-yong Attracts Law School at Wonkwang University.”

The main page said he contributed to the university’s successful bid by including a figure from the Iksan area on the Legal Education Committee.

The design company that produced the publicity materials for Yun said, “We handed over the original version of the material to a printing shop on Jan. 27.”

An Iksan resident told the Dong-A Ilbo, “I find Yun’s statement credible since the announcement by the Education Ministry was made the same day after I received the publicity pamphlet Thursday morning.”

A senior presidential official denied the allegation, saying, “Former presidential aide Yun could have learned the contents of the law school list through his acquaintances at the presidential office. But it is not true that he influenced the selection process.”

jin0619@donga.com