South Korea prosecutors quiz Seoul education chief

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SEOUL: South Korean prosecutors questioned the Seoul city education chief Monday as part of an investigation into allegations of bribery over his election.

The prosecutors are probing allegations that Kwak No-Hyun gave 200 million won ($188,000) to a rival candidate from the same left-leaning political bloc to persuade him to withdraw from last year's election to the education post.

The case has political implications for the opposition Democratic Party (DP), which had backed Kwak, before a general election next April and a presidential poll in December 2012.

Television showed Kwak walking into the Seoul prosecutors' office for questioning through a crowd of journalists and supporters.

Investigators are trying to prove he gave the money in response to a pledge from college professor Park Myoung-Gee to pull out of the race.

Kwak admitted making the payment but said it was a "goodwill" gesture to help Park with his heavy debts and not a quid pro quo for the academic's withdrawal.

The education chief vows not to quit his post, saying he did nothing wrong.

Prosecutors have questioned Kwak's family members and close aides and arrested Park last month.

Both the conservative nationally ruling Grand National Party (GNP) and the DP have now been embroiled in controversy over the capital's education system.

Former GNP Seoul mayor Oh Se-Hoon was at odds with some policies that Kwak backed, especially the decision by the DP-controlled city council to provide free school meals for all Seoul children.

But Oh resigned as mayor on August 26 after a referendum he called on the lunch issue failed to attract enough voters to be valid.