Former Teacher Sentenced to Prison for Defrauding Former Student of 520 Million Won Over False National University Professor Promise

A former high school teacher has been sentenced to prison for taking over 500 million won from a former student under the false promise of securing a national university professorship through lobbying high-ranking officials at the Ministry of Education.

The Busan District Court's Criminal Division 6 (Presiding Judge Lim Seong-chul) announced on the 22nd that it sentenced A, who was indicted on charges of fraud and receiving bribes for mediation under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment, etc. of Specific Economic Crimes, to 2 years and 6 months in prison and ordered the forfeiture of 523.05 million won.

A was put on trial for taking approximately 523 million won in cash, valuables, and benefits from a former student, B, between December 2017 and September 2024 under the pretext of lobbying expenses for national university professor appointments.

Having previously worked as a teacher at a high school in Busan, A exploited the fact that B, a former student who had completed master's and doctoral degrees in physical education in graduate school, hoped to become a university professor.

In December 2017, at a restaurant in Busan, A told B and B's father, "I know a director at the Ministry of Education and their associates well," adding, "If you give me 'working expenses,' I will lobby them to get you appointed as a professor at a national university in the capital area."

However, the Ministry of Education director and other figures claimed by A did not actually exist, and A had neither the intention nor the ability to secure a professorship for B.

The money received was also intended for personal use.

A was wired 508.2 million won across 32 occasions under the guise of working expenses and activity costs for public officials and others.

A demanded money under various pretexts, such as saying, "We need to cover the food and lodging expenses for the screening committee members' golf trip," and "We need to show our appreciation for the Ministry of Education director's car replacement."

The court stated, "A actively and repeatedly deceived the victim by exploiting the personal trust formed through their past teacher-student relationship," adding, "The economic damage inflicted on the victim and their family is massive, and the sense of betrayal and psychological distress they must have felt is likely immense."

However, the court took into consideration in its sentencing that A admitted to all the crimes, reached a settlement with the victim who no longer wants A to be punished, and repaid a portion of the damages.

(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.