By Park Si-soo
Staff Reporter

Education ministry officials formed the largest group on the list of civil servants who were caught paying for sex.

According to data submitted by the National Police Agency to Rep. Chang Je-won of the ruling Grand National Party, a total of 229 government officials were caught involved in prostitution last year.

Of them, 93 were local government officials and 42 education-related officials, including those at education offices in provinces and cities.

By ministry, the education ministry accounted for the largest number of 19, followed by the now-defunct Ministry of Information and Communications (Korea Communications Commission) with 17, and the National Police Agency with 15.

A total of 130 civil servants have been apprehended in the first five months of this year. Of them, education ministry officials accounted for 10, also the largest number among ministries, followed by six from the Ministry of Justice.

The number of police officers implicated in prostitution is also on the rise.

``We need stronger sanctions against violators, '' Chang said, insisting that the relevant law be amended.

pss@koreatimes.co.kr