Seoul gets tough on bribes at school

Elementary school students at a school in Seoul leave their classroom for summer break in the file photo. / Korea Times file

By Kim Bo-eun

With the start of the new semester, the city’s education office is stepping up measures to crack down on bribery in schools.

The Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education said Sunday that schools must designate staff to deal with the problem. These staff will have to submit detailed plans to eradicate bribery.

The crackdowns will take place in March and September when the semesters start as well as around Teachers Day, Sports Day, excursions and traditional holidays.

Schools will also send text messages to parents notifying them that bribery is illegal. School websites will also post warnings.

The city’s education office will run a report center on its sen.go.kr. Reports can also be filed to 1588-2060 or to clearnedu@sen.go.kr.

Officials and citizens who report such practices will receive 10 times the amount reported, up to 10 million won.

People found to be involved in bribery will face heavy punishment. The education office will reduce the following year’s budget for the school and for parents’ association projects.