Lawmakers Criticize Absence of Key Figures in Education Corruption Hearing

Rep. Kim Moon-soo of the Democratic Party criticized the absence of private education instructor Jo Jung-sik and Seoul National University professor Park Mi-ja during a comprehensive audit session of the National Assembly Education Committee on October 23. He stated that "the main actors in serious educational corruption are evading both legislative scrutiny and legal punishment by exploiting loopholes in the law and flimsy excuses."

Kim pointed out that instructors involved in question trading are escaping punishment due to legal gaps, while only current teachers face consequences. He highlighted the absurdity of external evaluators being arrested for power-related admission corruption, while the key individuals who designed and recommended these processes remain unpunished, citing "dizziness" as an excuse to avoid accountability.

Regarding Jo Jung-sik, Kim noted, "Despite strong suspicions of involvement in question trading, only the current teachers who provided the questions are being punished, while the leading instructors who actually orchestrated the payments are getting away with it." He further criticized Jo for requesting private meetings with aides while claiming that scheduling conflicts with his academy lectures prevented his attendance.

In response, Education Minister Choi Kyo-jin acknowledged the limitations of current laws in sanctioning those involved in the private education sector. Choi admitted, "There are indeed loopholes in the law," and emphasized the need for amendments to hold those involved in question trading accountable.

Kim also raised concerns about Park Mi-ja's absence, a central figure in the 2022 Seoul National University music department admission scandal. He remarked, "Last year during the audit, she cited dizziness, and now she has again claimed dizziness on the day of the audit." He pointed out that external evaluators who conducted illegal tutoring and awarded top scores to candidates have been arrested, yet Park, who recommended these evaluators as final judges, continues to evade consequences.

Kim presented evidence through KakaoTalk messages showing that Park instructed her assistant to change the ranking of the arrested evaluator, which he argued proves her direct involvement. Regarding Park's attendance, Yoo Hong-rim, president of Seoul National University, stated, "As of this week, we confirmed that classes are not being held, and she is not coming to school."

On the measures regarding those involved in the admission scandal, Yoo explained, "The admissions office has requested a copy of the first-instance ruling, and once received, we will review it and operate an admissions cancellation review committee if necessary," adding that the incident occurred during the 2022 admissions process, prior to his term starting in February 2023.