Star English instructor Jo Jung-sik, known for his prominent role at Megastudy and his current appearances on Channel A's popular educational program "Score Boost: Teachers Season 2," has been engulfed in a scandal involving illicit trading of exam questions with active high school teachers. This controversy, which has captured the attention of the South Korean education community and the public alike, centers around allegations that Jo purchased mock exam questions directly from current educators, violating strict regulations set by the Ministry of Education.
According to an investigative report by the truth-seeking media outlet Sherlock, Jo Jung-sik bought academy mock exam questions from a high school teacher identified as Teacher A for a sum of 58 million won. This transaction reportedly took place between January 2021 and October 2023. Teacher A, a seasoned educator with extensive credentials, has been involved in compiling EBS Suneung-linked textbooks since 2009 and serving as a question committee member for the National Joint Achievement Assessment since 2005. Over approximately five years, from 2018 to 2023, Teacher A sold exam questions to 11 academies, including Jo's, amassing roughly 238 million won in earnings.
Jo's initial payment to Teacher A reportedly covered 10 exam questions, amounting to around 2 million won, with the price per question estimated between 150,000 and 200,000 won. However, the scope of the transactions extends beyond Teacher A; in total, Jo is said to have engaged in question trading with 21 active teachers. Among these educators are individuals with significant experience, including those who have contributed to EBS Suneung-linked textbooks and participated in question creation for the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education's nationwide joint achievement assessments.
Adding to the gravity of the situation, Teacher A is accused of illegally leaking two unreleased EBS Suneung-linked textbooks to Jo Jung-sik. These textbooks had not yet been made available in bookstores, raising serious concerns about the breach of confidentiality and intellectual property rights. The Ministry of Education has explicitly prohibited teachers since 2016 from creating or supplying exam questions for private academies, categorizing such actions as illegal. Violations can result in severe penalties, including dismissal or even expulsion, and school principals are forbidden from granting permission for such dual roles.
In response to these widespread violations, the National Investigation Headquarters of the National Police Agency referred 72 current teachers, along with three private education corporations and 11 academy instructors, to the prosecution on May 17, 2025. Jo Jung-sik himself was also referred to the prosecution on that date, facing charges related to the improper solicitation and graft act as well as obstruction of business.
The Board of Audit and Inspection has confirmed that Jo Jung-sik admitted to the fact of question trading. However, his legal representative later conveyed a contradictory stance to Sherlock, stating that Jo "did not admit to the fact of question trading," highlighting the complexity and ongoing nature of the legal proceedings.
Despite the controversy, Jo continues to appear on "Score Boost: Teachers Season 2," a program designed to provide customized academic solutions to students and families struggling with grades by featuring Korea’s top instructors. The show's producers confirmed on June 10, 2025, that the scheduled interview with Jo on June 13 would proceed as planned, emphasizing that the case was still under verification. The interview, which also includes math instructor Jung Seung-je, Korean language instructor Yoon Hye-jung, CP Kim Seung-hoon, and PD Yoon Hye-ji, is highly anticipated, particularly to see how Jo will address the allegations.
The scandal raises critical questions about the integrity of South Korea's private education system, where the competition to excel in the Suneung—the national college entrance exam—is fierce. The leaking and trading of exam materials undermine the fairness of this high-stakes testing environment and threaten public trust in educational institutions.
Jo Jung-sik's case is emblematic of broader systemic challenges. The illicit collaboration between private academies and public school teachers not only violates legal standards but also blurs the lines between public education and private tutoring industries. Given Jo's stature as a leading English instructor and public figure, the ramifications of this case extend beyond legal consequences, potentially affecting the reputations of involved parties and the credibility of educational content providers.
As the prosecution's investigation continues, the public awaits clarity on the full extent of these transactions and the accountability measures that will follow. The upcoming interview on "Teachers 2" promises to shed light on Jo Jung-sik's perspective, possibly providing insights into the motivations behind the alleged question trading and the broader implications for the education sector.
In a landscape where academic success is often seen as a gateway to future opportunities, maintaining the integrity of exam content is paramount. This controversy serves as a stark reminder of the delicate balance between educational excellence and ethical conduct, a balance that must be vigilantly preserved to ensure fairness for all students.
