Teacher and Parent Arrested in South Korea for Stealing Exam Papers

In a shocking incident, a 31-year-old teacher and a 48-year-old mother were apprehended by police in South Korea for their involvement in a break-in at a high school located in Andong. On the night of July 4, they attempted to steal exam papers but triggered an alarm, leading to their capture. Authorities indicated that the teacher, who previously worked at the school and was a private tutor for the student, has confessed to the crime.

This case highlights the intense pressure placed on students in South Korea to excel academically. Remarkably, the investigation raised suspicions that the duo may have engaged in other thefts to ensure the student’s academic success, with potential financial exchanges between the teacher and the mother. Interestingly, the crime was not limited to subjects taught by the teacher, suggesting a broader scheme to obtain exam materials.

Additionally, a maintenance worker from the school was also arrested for assisting in the break-in. In the wake of this incident, the student, known for maintaining excellent grades since her enrollment in 2023, has faced expulsion and the nullification of her academic record. This event underscores a troubling trend of examination-related malpractices within the region, as evidenced by previous reports of teachers selling exam questions to private institutions for significant sums.