Last week the Education Ministry started a campaign across Korea to investigate illegal hagwon activities and private tutoring. It is no secret that the private education industry tends to exploit the academic competitiveness in Korea, and that this often occurs illegally and by evading tax laws. The ministry hired 200 extra workers to investigate and collect evidence of such activities, and is offering financial rewards to people who report tutors and hagwons. As of Monday, the Ministry has received 292 tips, and 1884 private tutors have come forward and registered with their local education offices to  avoid any penalties. On the radar, are hagwons that hold classes after 10pm and charge excessive fees, and tutors, except for university students, that have not registered with the education officials in their residential districts. In the latter case, tutors must register and pay national income taxes.  In today’s Joonang Daily, the article does not specifically mention foreigners or private English education.

In regional commentary, here is an interesting New York times essay that revisits the ‘Ugly American’.

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