Former Lawmaker Yoo Seong-min Referred to Prosecutors Over University Hiring Case

Former opposition lawmaker Yoo Seong-min and three officials at Incheon National University have been referred to prosecutors over allegations that the university gave preferential treatment to Yoo’s daughter during a faculty recruitment process, police said Friday.

The Incheon Metropolitan Police Agency sent Yoo, university President Lee In-jae and two university professors to the prosecution without detention. All four face allegations of obstruction of business in connection with the recruitment process. Lee and the two professors were also referred on allegations of violating South Korea’s Improper Solicitation and Graft Act.

The case concerns the appointment of Yoo Dam, Yoo Seong-min’s daughter, as a faculty member in the university’s trade department during the second semester of last year. Investigators suspect the four referred individuals interfered with the university’s recruitment procedures.

Police also suspect that Lee and the two professors received improper solicitations related to the appointment. Investigators said, however, that they found no evidence the university officials accepted money or valuables. The distinction is significant because the referral concerns alleged influence over the hiring process rather than evidence of a financial payment.

The referral follows an investigation that began in November last year. Police questioned Yoo Dam in writing during the inquiry but did not book her as a suspect, saying they had not identified evidence of criminal activity on her part.

A police referral does not constitute a finding of guilt. Prosecutors will review the evidence and decide whether to seek indictments against any of the four people. The allegations therefore remain subject to further investigation and potential court proceedings.

The case is likely to draw scrutiny because it combines questions about public-university recruitment, possible improper solicitation and the involvement of a prominent former politician. It also places attention on whether hiring rules and evaluation procedures were applied fairly in the faculty selection process.

Authorities have not announced any detention measures, and the four were transferred to prosecutors while remaining out of custody. No evidence of criminal conduct was found against Yoo Dam during the police investigation, according to the police account released Friday.

The next stage shifts responsibility to prosecutors, who may examine the police file, request additional investigation or decide whether the evidence supports formal charges. Until that review is completed, the referral records the police decision to send the allegations forward rather than a final legal judgment.