The arrests come amid a troubling trend of exam-related scandals in South Korea, a nation grappling with educational pressure and integrity issues.
South Korea's Exam Scandal Deepens: Teacher and Parent Arrested for Theft
South Korea's Exam Scandal Deepens: Teacher and Parent Arrested for Theft
A high school teacher and a parent have been arrested in South Korea for their involvement in a clandestine operation to steal exam papers, highlighting ongoing concerns in the country's rigorous education system.
In a startling incident that underscores the intense scrutiny surrounding South Korea's competitive education system, police have arrested a high school teacher and a father of a student for allegedly breaking into a school to steal exam papers. The break-in occurred at around 1:20 a.m. on July 4 in Andong, a city located southeast of Seoul. Their plan was thwarted when the school's security alarm rang, alerting authorities.
The teacher is facing serious charges that include bribery and trespassing, while the father has been accused solely of trespassing. Additionally, a facilities manager at the school has been apprehended for reportedly aiding in the unlawful entry and theft.
Investigations revealed that the teacher had been privately tutoring the arrested father’s child—a clear violation of regulations that prohibit teachers from engaging in private tutoring for their own students. According to KBS, the student had consistently achieved top academic performance, raising questions about previous incidents of exam paper theft tied to their records.
Police have suggested that monetary exchanges may have transpired between the teacher and the father, pointing to a broader scheme that may not have been their first attempt at theft. This incident feeds into a growing list of educational scandals within South Korea, known for its hyper-competitive academic environment. In June, police investigated an answer leak for a nationwide English exam connected to an online chatroom, while in February, 249 individuals—many of whom were educators—faced charges for selling exam prep questions to private educational institutes.
As the country grapples with these issues, South Korea continues to experience some of the highest stress levels among youth aged 11 to 15, reflecting the pressures of its education system.
