[Exclusive] Hallim Arts High School, Alma Mater of Twice, Faces Closure as Staff Halves

Staff Reduced by Half from 61... Wage Cuts and Unpaid Leave Implemented
Incorporation Pursued After Founder’s Death... Submitted to Education Office Early This Month
New Student Enrollment Not Allowed Until Corporate Transition

Hallym Arts High School Exterior (Source: Hallym Arts High School Blog)

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] Hallim Performing Arts High School (Hallim Yego), which famous singers such as TWICE graduated from, is facing deepening conflicts as it has notified its staff of layoffs and unpaid leave amid the threat of closure.

According to a post by a Hallim Yego staff member on the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education's petition board on the 5th, out of 61 staff members at the end of last year, 21 have left the school, and including reinstated teachers, 14 have been notified of unpaid leave and dismissal. A wage reduction plan was also proposed to the remaining staff, leaving only 31 members.

The staff member stated, "The school has demanded about four months of unpaid leave and wage cuts, and most teachers receive salaries below the minimum hourly wage," adding, "The school claims financial difficulties and forces staff sacrifices, while making excuses that the education office does not grant approval because the school has not undergone the process of changing its school type." Over 7,300 people have agreed with this petition.

Hallim Yego is a lifelong education facility recognized under the Lifelong Education Act, founded by the late Lee Hyun-man, who was both the principal and chairman. After Mr. Lee passed away in February last year, succession of his position became impossible, prompting efforts to incorporate the school as a corporation. The Lifelong Education Act was amended to restrict the establishment entity to corporations only, allowing only corporations to operate schools; failure to convert would result in school closure.

Hallim Yego did not recruit new students in 2021 and is currently operating only six classes for 2nd and 3rd grades without any 1st graders. If the school cannot change its establishment entity to a corporation, it will operate only until the current students graduate and will not be able to recruit new students next year. Hallim Yego submitted the application documents for corporate conversion to the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education earlier this month, but many believe it will be difficult to escape the closure crisis amid financial difficulties. Employment insecurity and treatment issues for staff are also difficult for the education office to intervene in, as the school is a facility under the Lifelong Education Act, limiting the office to only making recommendations.

A Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education official explained, "The corporate assets are under seizure, so this issue must be resolved first, and the corporation's funding promises must be kept," adding, "Schools under the Lifelong Education Act operate solely on students' tuition fees, and the disappearance of one grade has worsened the financial situation. We have requested the school to embrace the teachers and work towards a resolution."

Photo by Song Yubin Instagram