In June, three students from an arts high school in Busan died, revealing habitual misconduct among staff, including the school's principal and administrative officer. However, during the special audit triggered by the fatalities, no clues to ascertain the cause of the students' deaths were identified.
The Busan Metropolitan Office of Education announced the results of the special audit containing this information on the 27th.
The audit results confirmed the presence of a school and private academy 'college entrance exam cartel' during the operation of the school.
According to the Busan Metropolitan Office of Education, Principal A is suspected of conspiring with some dance academy directors to restrict students' transfers to certain academies, indicating long-term involvement in the interests of specific private academies. He is known to have opposed teachers who raised issues about illegal personal instruction by dance department instructors last year, claiming that they were 'interfering with the dance department.'
Also, Administrative Officer B has been found to have improperly received 4.56 million won in overtime pay and over 6 million won in performance bonuses.
In response, the Busan Metropolitan Office of Education announced administrative actions against 26 individuals, including A and B (15 educators, 3 instructors, and 8 administrative staff), involving 8 cases of administrative measures and recovery/refund of over 80 million won.
Additionally, regarding allegations of bribery against the principal, a police investigation has been requested, and the administrative officer's embezzlement allegations will be reported to the police.
Superintendent Kim Seok-jun said, 'I will fulfill my responsibility to ensure the normalization of the arts high school and the safety of students' school life.'