Seoul's education chief has filed a constitutional appeal over his alleged abuse of power in connection with the reinstatement of dismissed teachers years ago, saying such charges are excessively applied in the public service sector, officials said Tuesday. Cho Hee-yeon, superintendent of the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education, filed the petition with the Constitutional Court last week, claiming charges of abuse of power are too broadly applied in public service, according to the Seoul education office. By law, charges of abuse of authority are applied when a public official causes a person to perform a task that is outside of their duty. Cho was indicted in 2018 for allegedly abusing his power to reinstate five dismissed teachers, including former members of a teachers' labor union. In January, an appellate court upheld the lower court ruling and sentenced Cho to 1 1/2 years in prison, suspended for two years, a decision that could strip Cho of his job if confirmed by the Supreme Court. By law, an e ducation official with a confirmed conviction of a fine penalty or higher loses his job. Cho, who has appealed the decision to the top court, is awaiting the final decision. If the Supreme Court grants the request for a constitutional review, the trial will be put on hold until the decision is made by the Constitutional Court. It marks the second constitutional appeal filed by Cho after he asked for a review of the provision of the Educational Officials Act in March, which states that the process of hiring experienced public officials is to be done as prescribed by the presidential decree. Source: Yonhap News Agency