English instructor Jo Jung-sik, 42, officially denied accusations of a transaction with a current teacher regarding exam questions. Jo is currently reported to have been referred to trial for allegedly paying millions of won to a current teacher to purchase mock exam questions for a private academy.
On the 11th, Jo's legal representatives, attorneys Choi Bong-kyun and Jeong Seong-yeop from the law firm Pyeongan, said, "Jo Jung-sik has not directly paid 58 million won to the teacher in question," and added, "Recent reports about Jo Jung-sik contain inaccuracies, harming his reputation and social trust. We are clearly confident that all charges referred to the prosecution are unfounded."
He continued, "The case is currently undergoing a rigorous investigation process by the authorities. The determination of the facts will be clearly established through the future results of the investigation," and remarked, "It is regrettable that information that is different from the truth is being indiscriminately spread without verification. We will take all possible legal actions against acts of disseminating false information or damaging reputation."
The previous day, according to the Truth Investigation Group Sherlock, Jo is suspected of having purchased mock exam questions for 58 million won from A, a current high school teacher. It is reported that A sold questions to 11 academies, including Jo, and earned about 238 million won over approximately five years from 2018 to 2023.
Jo is said to have sent 2 million won for the first 10 questions to A. Another teacher, B, is suspected of having provided Jo with answers to the college entrance exam and mock evaluation. Additionally, a total of 21 current teachers have been found to have engaged in transactions with Jo regarding questions.
Jo is an English instructor affiliated with MegaStudy and is appearing on Channel A's "Please Help Me with Grades - Teachers 2."