The instructor Jo Jeong-sik, who is under suspicion of illegal transaction of test questions, asserted his innocence, stating, "I did not do anything shameful," while he ultimately broke down in tears on air after failing to provide a solution.
On the 26th, Jo Jeong-sik stated through his social media, "I learned that taking responsibility is the way to live like a human being," and added, "I will not run away or hide from the series of incidents related to me. If I must take responsibility, I will do so to the end."
However, he noted, "I believe there is no moral or legal wrongdoing regarding this matter," and asserted, "I cannot say everything yet, but I have not engaged in shameful behavior to those who know me directly or indirectly."
Previously, it was revealed that Jo Jeong-sik was referred to the prosecution for allegedly paying 58 million won to a current high school teacher, A, to purchase test questions for academy mock exams. This act is considered illegal since 2016, and if caught, teachers could face severe punishments such as dismissal or termination.
The Korean National Police Agency reported that last month, it referred 72 current teachers involved in the transaction to the prosecution, and a total of 126 individuals were investigated, with 100 of them referred to the prosecution. According to an audit agency investigation, Jo Jeong-sik is reported to have admitted to some transaction facts, but his side refuted, stating, "The payment of 58 million won is not true, and we completely deny the related allegations." The legal team stated that "all charges will be concluded as not guilty," and also revealed plans for strong responses against the spread of false information and defamation.
In the meantime, Jo Jeong-sik appeared on Channel A’s entertainment show "Please Boost Your Grades: Teachers 2," where he broke down in tears after experiencing his first solution failure, evoking sympathy.
In the episode of "Teachers 2" aired on the 29th, a challenging student from a prestigious high school, who is currently in the 2nd year, appeared. This student revealed disastrous grades of 6th in Korean, 5th in math, and 8th in English, shocking the cast of "The T-Avengers" with the unexpected results.
The challenging student had severe English anxiety, remaining at a level of 3rd grade during the mock exam. He revealed that feeling left behind since he first encountered English in the 3rd grade of elementary school led him to reject English altogether. "I feel like a seed left rotting in the dirt," he expressed his frustration, prompting Han Hye-jin and Jang Young-ran to tear up, remarking, "It pierces too deeply."
Jo Jeong-sik realistically assessed the student's current skills, stating, "To speak frankly, I do not see any hope," and provided a solution aiming for a top grade. However, the outcome remained at a 3rd-grade level, marking the first solution failure in the history of "Teachers."
In response, Jo Jeong-sik made efforts for a re-challenge for the student, who had collapsed from severe English anxiety, but the student expressed once again that he had no confidence that it would be possible. Han Hye-jin and Jang Young-ran ultimately shed tears at the sight of the despondent student, and Jo Jeong-sik, too, broke down in tears.
[Photo] Provided by OSEN DB, Channel A
[OSEN]