Ranked First Using Stolen Exam Papers... Parent in 40s Sentenced to 4 Years and 6 Months in Prison

Contract Teacher Who Assisted the Parent Also Sentenced to Prison

A parent in his 40s, accused of breaking into his daughter's high school and stealing exam papers, as well as a staff member who assisted him, have been sentenced to prison.

Former contract teacher A (in his 30s), who was charged with unauthorized intrusion into a school during the exam period (including trespassing), is being transported after attending a detention hearing at the Andong branch of Daegu District Court on July 14 last year. Photo by Yonhap News

On January 14, the Criminal Division 1 Single Judge (Presiding Judge Son Young-eon) at the Andong branch of Daegu District Court sentenced Parent A, who was indicted for habitual trespassing and stealing exam papers from a high school (including aggravated theft), to four years and six months in prison. Former contract teacher B, in his 30s, was sentenced to five years in prison and ordered to forfeit 31.5 million won.

Administrative manager C, in his 30s, who was indicted for aiding and abetting nighttime trespassing, was sentenced to one year and six months in prison. A's daughter, D, was sentenced to one year in prison, suspended for two years, for taking the exam after memorizing questions and answers from the stolen exam papers, having been indicted for obstruction of work by fraudulent means.

Parent A, together with B, who was formerly his daughter's homeroom teacher, was brought to trial for breaking into a high school in Andong, North Gyeongsang Province, where his daughter was enrolled, on 11 occasions from 2023 to July last year, and stealing midterm and final exam papers on seven occasions.

During this period, B received a total of 31.5 million won from A in 16 separate transactions. D studied in advance using the leaked exam papers and reportedly maintained the top rank in her entire school.

Their crimes were discovered on July 4 last year, during the final exam period, when a private security system was activated.

The court stated, "This case is a serious incident that fundamentally undermined trust in education. The defendants severely infringed upon the students' right to learn and the opportunity to be evaluated fairly at the school. In the fiercely competitive college entrance environment, their actions caused deep frustration and anger among diligent students and parents, and even damaged the professional pride of many teachers who have worked with dedication."

The court added, "The school's staff have petitioned for severe punishment, and Parent A also destroyed his mobile phone, which was evidence. However, the teachers and others have confessed to the crime, and the parent has deposited 100 million won with the school," explaining the reasons for the sentencing.