A 31-year-old teacher and the 48-year-old mother of a high school student were arrested following a break-in attempt to steal exam papers at a school in Andong, North Gyeongsang Province, South Korea.

The incident occurred at approximately 1:20am on 4 Jul.

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The teacher, who had resigned from the school in February 2024, managed to access the building by scanning her fingerprints at the entrance. She’s currently working at a different high school in Gyeonggi Province.

The pair headed to the faculty office on the third floor where exam papers were stored.

The school’s security alarm activated during the attempted theft, forcing the duo to flee the scene. Police arrested the teacher shortly after the incident. She was detained on 14 Jul following a pre-trial hearing.

The parent was arrested on 15 Jul, along with a facilities manager who allegedly aided the break-in. The 18-year-old student, who had consistently ranked first in her class since enrolling in 2023, was expelled from the school and had all her test scores invalidated.

Teacher Received S$18,500 for Two-Year Scheme

The teacher confessed to investigators that she had been carrying out thefts since 2023, shortly after the student started attending the school. She admitted to stealing exam papers or photographing them for the parent.

Investigators suspect the teacher received 20 million won (~S$18,500) from the parent over the two-year period in exchange for the papers. The teacher was also providing private tutoring to the student, which violates Korean law.

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School records show that the teacher accessed the premises at least seven times after her resignation, mostly during exam periods. The stolen materials covered multiple subjects.

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The teacher and parent have been charged with trespassing and business interference. The facilities manager faces charges of abetting theft and unlawful entry into school premises.

Latest in Series of Korean Exam Scandals

South Korea places extreme emphasis on academic achievement, with its annual college entrance exam forcing planes to be grounded during English listening tests. This incident represents the latest in a series of exam-related scandals in Asia’s fourth-largest economy.

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In February 2025, nearly 250 public and private school teachers were caught selling mock exam questions to private institutions over six years. These teachers earned an average of US$61,000 (~S$79,300) per person according to the state audit body.