Instructor Jo Jung-sik, who is under suspicion of illegal item transactions, reiterated his claim that he has done nothing wrong.
On the 26th, Jo Jung-sik posted on his social account, conveying his feelings regarding the allegations of illegal item transactions.
Previously, it was revealed that Jo Jung-sik had been referred to the prosecution on suspicion of purchasing academy mock exam questions for 58 million won from a current high school teacher identified as A, shocking many.
According to a report by the investigative group Sherlock on the 10th, A sold questions to 11 academies, including Jo Jung-sik, for about five years from 2018 to 2023, earning approximately 238 million won. In November 2020, A accepted a proposal from MegaStudy to draft mock exam questions for students. It was reported that Jo Jung-sik sent 2 million won directly for the first 10 questions from A.
Another teacher, identified as B, is under suspicion of having provided Jo Jung-sik with answers for the college entrance exam and mock assessments. Additionally, it has been revealed that a total of 21 current teachers engaged in transactions with Jo Jung-sik. The transaction of exam questions from current teachers has been strictly prohibited since 2016. If discovered, they may face dismissal or termination, and for teachers, even permission for dual employment is illegal.
According to the Board of Audit and Inspection, Jo Jung-sik admitted to the transaction of questions with current teachers. He stated that his experience in writing EBS textbooks serves as evidence of his ability to produce high-quality questions similar to the college entrance exam, explaining why he solicited transactions from current teachers. In relation to this, the National Investigation Division of the Korean National Police Agency referred 72 current teachers involved in transactions to the prosecution on the 17th of last month. It is also reported that 126 people were booked and 100 were referred to the prosecution.
However, Jo Jung-sik, through his legal representative, issued an official statement saying, "The contents of the report include parts that are not true," and that "Instructor Jo Jung-sik and our legal team are confident that all charges referred to the prosecution are clearly 'not guilty,' and that Instructor Jo Jung-sik has never directly paid 58 million won to the teacher involved in the case," indicating potential legal action against the spread of false information and defamation.
However, following the controversy, on the 13th, he notified that he would not participate in the interview for Channel A's 'Please Take Care of Your Grades - Teachers 2' scheduled for the next day, citing concerns that the roundtable interview would differ significantly from the original intent. At that time, the production team cautiously stated regarding Jo Jung-sik's controversy, "No facts have yet been revealed, so no actions have been taken." As a result, Jo Jung-sik is currently appearing on 'Teachers 2' without edits.
Despite Jo Jung-sik's explanation, doubts continued to pour in, leading to the cancellation of his appearance on the 10th anniversary special of tvN's 'Accidentally an Adult' set to air on July 1. Meanwhile, on the 26th, Jo Jung-sik posted on his social account stating, "I learned that taking responsibility is not about being manly, but about living like a human. In this series of incidents related to me, I will not run away or hide, and if I have responsibilities, I will carry them to the end."
He emphasized, "However, I believe I am not wrong morally or legally regarding this matter. There are many stakeholders involved, so I cannot say everything yet, but at least I have never done anything shameful to anyone who knows me directly or indirectly."
Below is the full post by Jo Jung-sik.
I learned that taking responsibility is not about being manly, but about living like a human.
In this series of incidents related to me, I will not run away or hide, and if I have responsibilities, I will carry them to the end.
However, I believe I am not wrong morally or legally regarding this matter.
There are many stakeholders involved, so I cannot say everything yet, but at least I have never done anything shameful to anyone who knows me directly or indirectly.
[Photo] OSEN DB
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