Gwangju Office of Education Faces Controversy Over 'Slap on the Wrist' Response to Illegal Operation by Alternative School

Moon Jungbok Criticizes "Case Closed Despite Violation of Early Childhood Education Act"
Education Office Responds: "Handled with Corrective Order... No Request for Investigation"
Civic Group: "Dereliction of Duty, Registration Should Be Canceled and Criminal Complaint Filed"

The Gwangju Metropolitan Office of Education's response of issuing only a corrective order, despite confirming the illegal operation of a kindergarten by an alternative school, became a point of contention during the National Assembly Education Committee’s audit. Lawmakers strongly criticized this as dereliction of duty, while the education office explained that it did not request an investigation because the institution in question was not permitted to recruit young children.

Democratic Party lawmaker Moon Jung-bok is questioning at the National Assembly Education Committee’s audit held at Jeonbuk National University on the 22nd. Photo by Yonhap News

Moon Jungbok, a Democratic Party lawmaker representing Siheung-gap in Gyeonggi Province, questioned Baek Kisang, Director of Education at the Gwangju Metropolitan Office of Education, during the National Assembly Education Committee’s audit held at Jeonbuk National University on the 22nd. She asked, "It is clear that there was a violation of the Early Childhood Education Act, so why did you close the case with only a corrective order and no request for investigation?"

Assemblywoman Moon pointed out, "This alternative school has not only operated illegal kindergarten classes, but has also engaged in anti-human rights behaviors such as posting videos opposing the Student Human Rights Ordinance and the Anti-Discrimination Act, sharing materials that distort history, forcing religious beliefs, conducting ideological vetting when hiring teachers, and discriminating against students with disabilities in admissions. It is unacceptable that such actions were met with only a slap on the wrist."

In response, Director Baek explained, "Because the alternative education institution is registered as a university-level institution and is not allowed to recruit young children, we closed the case with a corrective order and did not request an investigation for violating the Early Childhood Education Act." He added, "For other alternative schools, we are currently reviewing audits and possible investigation requests, but the results are not yet available."

Previously, on the 16th, the civic group Citizens' Coalition for an Egalitarian Society issued a statement, arguing, "The Gwangju Metropolitan Office of Education confirmed the illegal operation of kindergarten classes but failed to take substantive actions such as filing a criminal complaint or canceling registration. This amounts to abandoning its responsibilities as a supervisory authority." The group also warned, "Operating an illegal kindergarten is a serious offense under Article 34 of the Early Childhood Education Act, punishable by imprisonment or a fine. If the education office does not immediately cancel the registration and file a complaint with judicial authorities, we will hold the office itself accountable."