South Korea'S Education Ministry Cracks Down On Test Cheating Scandal

New Regulations on the Horizon

SEOUL – January 21, 2026 – The South Korean Ministry of Education is tightening its grip on the education sector following a scandal that's shaken the nation. The ministry announced its plans to craft new regulations specifically targeting private academy instructors involved in the illicit buying and selling of school test questions. This comes in the wake of numerous indictments that have rocked the integrity of the education system.

Amendments to the Private Teaching Institute Act

An official from the Ministry of Education emphasized, "We will work to amend the Private Teaching Institute Act to provide clear legal grounds for punishment or sanctions against private academy instructors and operators who engage in illegal practices." The aim is to delineate specific sanctions for those who misuse exam materials, thereby upholding the fairness of school assessments and the prestigious college entrance exam, Suneung.

High-Profile Indictments

The scandal reached new heights last month when prosecutors indicted 46 private academy instructors. Among those charged were "star lecturers" like Cho Jung-shik and Hyun Woo-jin, who allegedly paid substantial sums of money to current teachers to gain access to exam questions before they were administered. Cho and Hyun reportedly spent 420 million won ($284,000) and 83 million won, respectively, for questions that could give their students an unfair advantage.

These actions not only distort student rankings but also allow private academies to falsely inflate their success rates. This deceitful practice not only misleads students and parents but also tarnishes the reputation of South Korea's rigorous education standards.

A Call for Fairness

“The foundation of a fair Republic of Korea is an admissions system free from cheating,” said presidential chief of staff Kang Hoon-sik, urging education authorities for a sincere reflection and apology.

Echoing these sentiments, there is an undeniable demand for justice and transparency in South Korea's education system. The proposed amendments will ideally close loopholes and restore trust among students and parents alike, ensuring that academic achievements are based on merit and integrity.