The Education Ministry on Friday launched an investigation into Ewha Womans University on allegations that the school gave preferential treatment to the daughter of Choi Soon-sil, a veiled confidante of President Park Geun-hye who is at the center of an unraveling influence-peddling scandal.

“A team of 12 will inspect the school for two weeks. It can stretch longer, if necessary,” a ministry official said.

The ministry has been looking into some school records and documents after allegations surfaced that Chung Yoo-ra, a horseback rider, had been unfairly admitted to the school and was given good grades despite missing most of her classes.

Ewha’s president Choi Kyung-hee resigned last week amid a nearly three-month sit-in by students.

By Korea Herald staff / (khnews@heraldcorp.com)