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The entry of a far-right educational organization into South Korea's government-run after-school program for elementary school children has stirred controversy, as parents have expressed concern over the introduction of ideological bias into classrooms.
The scandal began with a local investigative news website revealing that an extreme right-wing group named Rhee Park School which celebrates the deeds of former dictatorial presidents Syngman Rhee and Park Chung-hee not only carried out online manipulation campaigns by the name of "Jasongun" but also sent teachers to Neulbom schools, a state-operated extended-day elementary school program. Jasongun is the acronym for a sentence that translates to "freedom finger army to save the nation" (literally).
The report claimed Rhee Park School trained and sent teachers to Neulbom schools in Seoul with an instructor certificate issued internally. These teachers were reported to be chosen in exchange for joining online smear operations against politicians, including presidential candidates Lee Jae-myung and Lee Jun-seok, while they promoted right-wing political figures like Kim Moon-soo of the ruling People Power Party.
Outcry has grown among parents, particularly after it emerged that the school had entered into a partnership with the Korea Association for Neulbom Education and Seoul National University of Education. Under the arrangement, as per the Education Ministry, the group was allowed to provide teachers for science and art-oriented Neulbom courses for 10 elementary schools in the capital.
The Education Ministry said it would conduct a complete inquiry into any connections with the far-right organization and the national Neulbom system.
"Considering the public response and seriousness of the matter, we have ordered the immediate halt of associated programs and the cancellation of the contract with the organization," the SNUE Neulbom Education Support Center said.
Rhee Park School was established in 2017 by Son Hyo-sook, a former civil servant who had no educational qualifications. Son's new role as an education policy adviser to the Education Minister has raised additional questions, with critics asking how she ended up with a high-level policy advisory position without a professional education background.
The row has brought renewed scrutiny to the Neulbom system, a flagship education policy project under the previous President Yoon Suk Yeol government. Originally marketed as an "all-day elementary school," the program seeks to combine care services and after-school classes within state remit.
The Education Ministry announced Monday it opened a wide-ranging investigation into the issue and fired the leader of the far-right faction from her position as a policy adviser the previous day.
"Due to the seriousness of the allegations, she was fired right away," ministry spokesperson Koo Yeon-hee told reporters in a press briefing. "Son did not have a key role on the committee and attended only a recent workshop."
Koo clarified that the panel is made up of 124 advisors of diverse ideological leanings and operates in a consultative role. "As it is a purely advisory body, we did not shortlist appointees for political neutrality at the time of selection," she told.
Although Son’s term was originally set to end on June 12, Koo added that the ministry would consider reviewing the status of other advisers. “We will ask the relevant departments to look into whether there are any issues with other committee members and whether further investigation is possible,” she said.
Although the Education Ministry asserted that private certifications such as that of Rhee Park School do not automatically secure a job in schools, and that each school makes its own hiring decisions independently, it did recognize the necessity for a system-wide examination. The ministry committed to reviewing all currently running Neulbom programs in order to determine any link to the institution.
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