Court Rules "State to Compensate 10 Million Won Each for Appointment Exam Restrictions Due to COVID-19 Infection"

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] A court has ruled that the government must pay compensation to examinees who were restricted from taking the teacher certification exam due to testing positive for COVID-19.

On the morning of the 9th, the Civil Division 31 of the Seoul Central District Court (Presiding Judge Kim Jisuk) partially ruled in favor of 44 examinees who filed a damages claim lawsuit against the government, ordering the payment of 10 million KRW per person.

Previously, the Ministry of Education prohibited COVID-19 positive individuals from taking the first round of the elementary and secondary teacher certification exams in the second half of last year. The examinees filed a lawsuit in January, demanding 15 million KRW per person, claiming the measure was "illegal."

Subsequently, the Constitutional Court accepted a provisional injunction filed by bar exam candidates for similar reasons, temporarily suspending the enforcement of the exam guideline stating "COVID-19 positive individuals cannot take the exam." The court reasoned that "losing the opportunity to take the exam according to the announcement could constitute an excessive restriction on the freedom to choose one's occupation."

Following this decision, the Ministry of Education allowed individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 to take the second round of the elementary and secondary teacher certification exams.