Midnight Break-In Foiled by Security System
In the early hours of July 4, a 31‑year‑old former high school teacher and a 48‑year‑old parent broke into a girls’ high school in Andong, North Gyeongsang Province, South Korea, aiming to steal final exam papers. Their plan failed when the school’s alarm system activated, alerting authorities to their presence.
Insider Access Raised Suspicions
Although the teacher had resigned in February 2024, her fingerprint remained registered in the school’s security system, granting her effortless entry. She scanned her fingerprint to access the faculty office on the third floor—where exam materials were stored—with the parent following closely behind.
Arrests and Charges Move Forward
Following a security response, both suspects were quickly identified and arrested. In separate hearings on July 14, courts issued warrants citing concerns they might destroy evidence or flee. The parent faces charges of trespassing and disrupting school operations; the teacher is charged with unlawful entry and business obstruction.
Alleged Two-Year Exam Leak Scheme
Investigators uncovered evidence of an ongoing scheme: over a two-year period, the parent allegedly paid the teacher approximately 20 million won (≈ US $14,000) to provide test contents before each exam. The teacher reportedly continued visiting the school—at least seven times during exam periods—even after leaving the faculty.
Institutions Take Swift Action
The school has revoked the student’s academic results and recommended her expulsion. Investigations are extended to a school facilities manager, accused of aiding the break-in and tampering with CCTV footage. The provincial education office is also conducting a thorough audit to review broader institutional failures.
National Outrage Over Pressure and Corruption
The incident has reignited national conversation on South Korea’s high‑pressure educational culture and the widespread phenomenon of illegal private tutoring. A SCMP report highlighted how the scandal “puts the spotlight on a high‑pressure education system” that may drive desperate measures South China Morning Post. Local parents have expressed shock, with one mother saying the story felt “straight out of a drama” and voicing concern that the student’s actions were motivated by ambition for a medical school admission.
What Happens Next
- Police continue investigations, focusing on financial transactions, detailed timing of paper thefts, and potential accomplices.
- Authorities are expected to interrogate the student, possibly on obstruction charges.
- Broader disciplinary action could follow against the school and teachers found complicit.
Final Word
The dramatic late-night break-in underscores the darker side of academic pressure in South Korea. As authorities dig deeper into the conspiracy, the case may prompt systemic reforms—from tighter school security to stricter oversight of teacher-parent ties and vocational ethics in education.
