Former principal of traditional arts school under expanded investigation over alleged bribes for teacher hiring

[Financial News] Police investigating allegations of hiring irregularities involving a former principal of the National Middle & High School of Traditional Korean Arts have expanded their probe after uncovering signs that money also changed hands in another teacher hiring process.
According to a Financial News review of reports on Monday, the National Police Agency’s anti-corruption investigation unit searched the National Middle & High School of Traditional Korean Arts in Geumcheon District, Seoul, and the residence of teacher A the previous day. Police are said to have secured A’s mobile phone and other related materials.
A is accused of giving money to then-principal B in exchange for a teaching position during the school’s competitive exam for candidates for middle school teacher appointments in the first half of 2025, held in November 2024. A is also reported to have partially admitted the allegations during police questioning.
Police had already been investigating allegations that C, who passed the same hiring exam as a pansori teacher, gave B 100 million won in exchange for the job. While analyzing materials seized in June from B’s residence and the school, investigators reportedly found additional clues suggesting that money may have been received in connection with A’s hiring.
At the time, teacher recruitment was conducted across several fields, including pansori, geomungo, daegeum, haegeum, percussion performance, ballet, and jeongga. Based on the seized materials, police plan to determine whether B exerted influence over A’s hiring process and how the money was allegedly delivered.
B served as principal of the National Middle & High School of Traditional Korean Arts from 2017 until last year, and the post is currently vacant.
[email protected] Choi Seung-han Reporter