100 students who suffered from KSAT question errors file compensation suit

Regarding the error in a world geography question in the 2014 national college scholastic exam, 100 students who took the test and suffered damages have filed a lawsuit demanding for compensation. The students aim to receive compensation and costs for studying in private educational institutes for one year, which they had to spend for the bailout.

Attorney Kim Hyeon-cheol submitted Monday a petition to Busan District Court against the country and the Korea Institute for Curriculum and Evaluation. "Regarding the world geography question for the national college scholastic exam two years ago, the bigger problem is not the error itself but lack of follow-up measures. This lawsuit aims to help students get compensation for their lost year," Kim said.

"For students who were additionally admitted to college through score recalculation, they suffered mental damage in losing one year, as well as damage for losing a year in advancing into society. For students choosing to study one more year, they suffered property loss for going into other college or registering for private education institute," the lawyer said. "Students who were not admitted to college had to apply to other college, which requires lower scores than they could have achieved. Since students suffered chaos, they need compensation." The 100 students who filed a civil suit demanded from 15 million won (13,907 U.S. dollars) to 60 million won (55,628 dollars), with total compensation amounting to 2.34 billion won (21.69 billion dollars).

The biggest compensation was demanded by a student who will enter Ajou University political science and diplomacy department. The student requested 60 million won (55,628 dollars) including compensation, costs for studying another year, and slower advance into society. "Another 350 students said they intend to file suit," adding, "The total request for compensation will grow," Kim said.