Re-Examinations Will Be Considered Only After Investigation Results Are Released

It has been confirmed that a cram school in Mok-dong, Seoul that allegedly distributed entrance examination questions of Gimpo Foreign Language High School before applicants took the exam also revealed the information to applicants of Myongji Foreign Language High School and Anyang Foreign Language High School.

As allegations spread to other foreign language schools in Gyeonggi area, the Gyeonggi Provincial Office of Education decided to postpone the announcement of countermeasures until the police release their final investigation results.

With the delay, the successful applicants of Gimpo Foreign Language High School and their parents will likely suffer even more. The National Police Agency’s Special Criminal Investigation Division announced on Monday that the cram school in question distributed some 70 printed copies of questions to 110 applicants of not only Gimpo but also Myongji and Anyang foreign language high schools at the end of last month on the day of the exam. All these students are enrolled in the cram school.

The police have also issued a foreign travel ban on Gimpo’s administration and PR director Lee who is currently under suspicion for leaking the questions. At the same time, police are focusing on locating the 51-year-old teacher who has disappeared after allegations arose. According to some reports, he has sent two-page letter which seemed like a suicidal note to his family by mail. The letter is also rumored to contain a claim of innocence.

An official from the Agency said, “We have secured the phone records of Lee’s cell phone. We are currently investigating to see whether he talked to someone other than Gwak, the head of the cram school, on the night the exam questions were leaked.”

The Gyeonggi Provincial Office of Education has indefinitely postponed the announcement of comprehensive follow-up measures, which was scheduled for Monday.

Chief Director Lee Sang-deok of the organization said in an afternoon briefing on Monday, “Since an investigation is currently under away, we will announce countermeasures, including whether re-examinations will be held, after we see comprehensive investigation results.”

Meanwhile, an official from the Ministry of Education stated, “The Gyeonggi Provincial Office of Education reported some possible responses to the incident, including severe punishment for related officials at Gimpo Foreign Language High School or depriving the school of its special high school status. We are reviewing various possibilities.”

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