Math instructor Hyun Woo-jin acquitted of charges over mock exam question purchases

A Seoul court has acquitted renowned math instructor Hyun Woo-jin of charges related to the alleged illegal purchase of mock exam questions. The ruling on April 26 found that the payments Hyun made to current teachers for their work on college entrance exam materials did not violate the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act. The court stated that while the transactions took the form of private deals, the amounts paid did not excessively exceed the value of the questions provided. It also noted that Hyun had acquired questions from sources other than just teachers, including from companies, and that the payments were consistent across these sources. This decision means the funds exchanged were not considered illegal gains under the law. The court's reasoning centered on the principle that if the compensation for services is commensurate with the value provided, it does not fall under the prohibition of the anti-graft law. Hyun was accused of paying approximately 346 million won to two teachers and an additional 75 million won through an account linked to another teacher's spouse between March 2020 and May 2023. Prosecutors had sought a one-year prison sentence, arguing that such transactions undermine public trust in education. Two teachers who provided the questions and a textbook company employee, who were also charged, were similarly acquitted.

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Even if it takes the form of a private transaction, if the compensation significantly exceeds the value, it is merely a formality of debt fulfillment, but if compensation corresponding to the provided value is paid, it is excluded from the scope of prohibited money receipt under the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act.