South Korea to Fine English Kindergartens Up to $720 for Level Tests

South Korea is set to implement strict regulations on English kindergartens, imposing significant fines for conducting level tests on young children. Beginning in October, these institutions will be subject to a minimum fine of 1 million won (approximately $720 USD) for each instance of administering a level test. This penalty will increase to 2 million won for a second offense and 3 million won for a third violation.

The Ministry of Education announced these measures as part of an amendment to the 'Academy Establishment and Operation Act.' The new rules specifically target what is colloquially known as the '4-year-old exam,' prohibiting private education activities for infants and toddlers that involve recruitment or class placement assessments. These prohibitions extend beyond traditional written or oral exams to include performance-based evaluations, problem-solving tasks, and the use of external assessment reports or completion certificates.

To encourage compliance, the government will offer reward payments to individuals who report violations of these regulations. The amendment also clarifies exceptions, outlining criteria for diagnostic assessments that support educational activities, such as observations made after a child has enrolled or begun receiving tutoring. The aim is to curb excessive private education pressure on very young children and ensure a more appropriate learning environment.