Despite having a controversial grants recipient, the program that expressed its intent to proceed with the interview announced the participant's absence a day before the interview. This decision was made out of concern that the purpose of the interview would be significantly altered; however, the sudden change in position and the participant's absence have raised further suspicions.
On the 12th, the production team of Channel A's "Teachers 2" stated, "We sincerely apologize for informing you of the change in attendees for the round interview scheduled for the 13th on such short notice."
The round interview for "Teachers 2" scheduled for the 13th was set to include two production staff and grants recipients Jeong Seung-je, Jo Jeong-sik, and Yoon Hye-jeong. However, the "Teachers 2" team announced that after discussion, only the production staff would attend, a decision made the day before the interview.
The reason was as follows. Jo Jeong-sik, a grants recipient and interview participant, is currently involved in a controversy regarding the illegal transaction of exam questions. On the 10th, the Truth Investigative Group "Sherlock" reported that Jo Jeong-sik purchased mock exam questions from a current high school teacher, referred to as A, for 58 million won.
According to the report, A sold questions to 11 academies, including Jo Jeong-sik, over approximately five years from 2018 to 2023, earning about 238 million won. The transaction of exam questions by current teachers has been strictly prohibited since 2016. If discovered, they could face dismissal or removal, and it is illegal for teachers to hold dual positions.
In relation to this, the Korean National Police Agency transferred 72 current teachers involved in question transactions to the prosecution on the 17th of last month. Additionally, 126 individuals have been charged, and 100 have been referred to the prosecution.
Jo Jeong-sik, who is currently active as an instructor and is also a grants recipient on 'Teachers 2,' has intensified the controversy. In response, Jo Jeong-sik's representatives stated through their attorney, "The reports regarding Instructor Jo Jeong-sik by a recent media outlet include parts that are inaccurate, significantly damaging the instructor's honor and social trust. Instructor Jo Jeong-sik and our legal team are confident that he is clearly 'not guilty' of all the allegations transferred to the prosecution, and he has never directly paid 58 million won to the related teacher."
Jo Jeong-sik's team stated that they will take all possible legal actions for spreading false facts or defaming him, and added that since the case is currently undergoing strict investigation by the investigative authorities, the determination of the facts will be clarified through the future investigation results.
Since they are confident that he is 'not guilty', both Jo Jeong-sik's side and the 'Teachers 2' side did not express their intent to abstain from the interview. Facing the press during an interview, despite being embroiled in controversy, signifies that they are confident in addressing the allegations.
However, a day before the interview, the production team announced Jo Jeong-sik's, Jeong Seung-je's, and Yoon Hye-jeong's absence, pulling back. On the surface, this was due to concerns that the original purpose of the interview might be significantly altered. Nonetheless, whether Jo Jeong-sik is present or not, those questions are likely to arise, and someone must respond, leading to criticisms that the production team's protective measures for the grants recipient are excessive. Moreover, the sudden absence has sparked speculation in some quarters about whether there is something amiss.
Even if Jo Jeong-sik were present, the 'Teachers 2' interview was expected to become a 'Jo Jeong-sik clarification press conference without Jo Jeong-sik.'
[OSEN]