Jeonnam Office of Education: "No Evidence of Educational Programs Linked to 'Reebak School'"

Announcement of 'Emergency Comprehensive Inspection' Results in Provincial Elementary Schools
Strengthened Verification Standards for Commissioned Institutions... 130 Schools Inspected
Superintendent Kim Daejung: "Complete Block of Inappropriate Involvement"

The Jeonnam Provincial Office of Education announced on June 2 that there is no evidence that programs related to 'Reebak School,' a private education organization suspected of having far-right tendencies, have been operated in any elementary schools in the province.

In a press release issued on the same day, the office stated, "Following an urgent inspection regarding the socially controversial Reebak School, we have confirmed that neither the organization's programs nor its instructors have been operated by any commissioned institutions in the province."

Jeonnam Provincial Office of Education

The office further added, "No direct or indirect connections with Reebak School have been found in commissioned education programs in the Jeonnam region," and continued, "Taking this incident as an opportunity, we will strengthen the verification of external backgrounds and operational histories when cooperating with private institutions."

According to the provincial office, there are currently a total of 5,395 Neulbom School instructors active in the province, operating 8,797 programs. Neulbom School instructors are either directly hired by schools depending on local conditions, or in rural and remote schools where it is difficult to secure personnel, instructors are commissioned through local universities or private organizations.

Currently, the Neulbom School program is being operated through commissioned organizations in eight cities and counties?Goheung, Boseong, Yeongam, Wando, Shinan, Jangheung, Jindo, and Haenam?with a total of 974 programs being operated on a commissioned basis at 130 schools.

Superintendent Kim Daejung stated, "It is regrettable and deplorable that such controversy has arisen in the educational field," and emphasized, "The educational environment for students must be safe and transparent above all else. The provincial office will take responsible action to completely block inappropriate involvement by private organizations and to enhance the credibility of commissioned education."