Former Yonsei University Music Professor Arrested Over Entrance Exam Practical Piece Leak Controversy

Obstruction of Business and Violation of Private Academy Act Charges... Seoul Western District Prosecutors' Office "Concern Over Evidence Destruction"

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Pyeonghwa] Former Yonsei University music professor A, who was embroiled in controversy last year for leaking practical exam pieces for university entrance, has been detained.

On the 16th, Park Won-gyu, the chief judge in charge of warrants at the Seoul Western District Prosecutors' Office, issued an arrest warrant for A following a pre-arrest interrogation, citing concerns over evidence tampering. Previously, the Seoul Western District Prosecutors' Office had requested an arrest warrant for A on charges of obstruction of business and violation of the Private Institute Act.

A is accused of informing applicant B in advance about one of the designated practical exam pieces for this year's Yonsei University preliminary entrance exam while teaching B. A is also charged with giving piano lessons to B at A's home. Under current Private Institute Act regulations, university faculty members are prohibited from private tutoring.

The arrest warrant for applicant B, who faces obstruction of business charges, was dismissed. The reasons cited include B having a fixed residence, no prior criminal record, and close family ties, indicating no flight risk.

C, who operates a music academy and connected A and B, also had their arrest warrant dismissed due to no concerns over flight risk or evidence tampering. The Seoul Western District Prosecutors' Office had requested an arrest warrant for C on charges of violating the Private Institute Act.

This practical exam piece leak incident emerged last year in a KakaoTalk group chat where music university entrance information was shared. B leaked related information during conversations, including revealing the list of practical exam pieces, claiming to have learned it through "personal connections."

Subsequently, in September last year, one of the three preliminary practical exam pieces announced by Yonsei University included a piece mentioned by B, prompting concerns among applicants. After the controversy, Yonsei University changed all the practical exam pieces, investigated the facts through a truth-finding committee, and handed the case over to the police for investigation. A resigned from Yonsei University following the controversy.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.