Serious academic and administrative misconduct has been uncovered at Hwabong Academy and Daedong University, including improper contracts worth hundreds of billions of won for hospital supplies and a professor approving grades for their own child without prior notification. The Education Ministry's audit revealed significant moral hazards in the operation of the school and its governing body.
On September 4, the Education Ministry announced the results of its comprehensive audit of Hwabong Academy and Daedong University. Conducted over 11 days in November 2024 and November 2025, the audit identified a total of 16 violations. As a result, 17 individuals faced disciplinary actions (four received minor penalties, four received warnings, and nine were cautioned), along with 21 administrative measures and a financial recovery of approximately 68.57 million won.
Clear misconduct was revealed regarding contracts for supplying hospital goods. Despite receiving a warning in 2023 during an accounting audit of private educational institutions for similar contracts, the institutions continued to engage in improper contracts worth 67.6 billion won with five companies, leading to corrective actions and minor penalties for those involved.
Management of revenue-generating assets was also found to be haphazard. Without board approval or notification to the relevant authorities, the institution disposed of deposits worth 1.5 billion won on nine occasions. After belatedly reporting this to the Education Ministry and having it rejected, they attempted to re-deposit the funds.
Additionally, 35 million won received as monthly rent was not included in the budget and was improperly diverted for hospital operating expenses. Some spaces were rented at low prices to former hospital staff, resulting in further legal action.
Serious violations were also found in academic management and personnel matters. One professor allowed their child to enroll in their own class without the necessary prior notification, subsequently awarding grades ranging from A+ to B+ across five subjects, which led to minor penalties and warnings.
In the process of designating an acting president, manipulations were uncovered. Although there was no discussion about the acting president at the board meeting in December 2022, false notifications were sent to the school, allowing an individual to serve in that role until a new president was appointed in January 2023, resulting in disciplinary actions for those involved.
Corruption related to facility construction was also exposed. The school entered into six contracts for specialized construction work with a company that lacked the necessary licenses, totaling 252 million won. Furthermore, during the completion of 13 facility construction projects worth 1.115 billion won, essential inspection reports were not even prepared. The Education Ministry issued a warning to the institution and took action against those responsible.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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